Ammonia fountain demonstration

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A close-up photograph of a conical flask containing a purple liquid

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Try this experiment to make a miniature chemical fountain using only soluble ammonia and atmospheric pressure. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

The ammonia fountain is a classic demonstration in which students observe the solubility of ammonia in water. The teacher can demonstrate a variety of indicator colour changes, and students identify that ammonia solution is alkaline.

The demonstration itself, drawing on careful advance preparation, takes only a few minutes. Read on to find full instructions plus teaching notes.

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