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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: oneat on March 07, 2010, 12:05:58 PM

Title: HgO to oxygen
Post by: oneat on March 07, 2010, 12:05:58 PM

How can I retrieve oxygen from HgO ?

Title: Re: HgO to oxygen
Post by: skyjumper on March 07, 2010, 01:33:40 PM

Why would you want too?

Title: Re: HgO to oxygen
Post by: oneat on March 07, 2010, 01:35:02 PM

Because we had to answer it on contest.
And it's interesting.

Title: Re: HgO to oxygen
Post by: Borek on March 07, 2010, 01:54:30 PM

I think it is a Priestley experiment, heating mercury till it gets oxidized, heating oxide till it decomposes.

Title: Re: HgO to oxygen
Post by: skyjumper on March 07, 2010, 03:28:48 PM

Yum mercury vapor, haha.

from wiki
HgO decomposes on exposure to light, on heating above 500°C producing highly toxic fumes including mercury and oxygen, which increases fire hazard

Title: Re: HgO to oxygen
Post by: Borek on March 07, 2010, 04:32:14 PM

I don't think OP is going to repeat the experiment, more like just theoretical approach.