[mafiaparty303]

First I'd just like to say hello to everyone on the site!

Also, I have a question, what are some things one could do with some zinc (unpurified) at home, just some fun chemistry experiments?


Thanks,

Filippo

[P-man]

I was looking around for stuff to do with that stuff too... well you can make hydrogen by combining it with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid.

[billnotgatez]

Is the zinc in powdered form or solid strips?

[mafiaparty303]

its however, i have one thats kinda an ingot form but also a lot that I poured into water (molten) so their weird shap but ya i could make them into strips, so lets just say, yes they are in strips

[P-man]

Well for the stuff with the acid to make hydrogen I've only ever used filings. I dunno if it would work with strips of zinc...

[billnotgatez]

Well if it was powder we might suggest come chemical reactions. I was hoping that it was in strip form. Then I would suggest electrochemical experiments. One of these could be making a battery.

[P-man]

Yes, that could be fun, but nothing beats the reactions. They're so interesting.

[mafiaparty303]

ya, the reactions are the best, although I have done many electolysis things, none with zinc, i guess that could be interesting. But, i dont have any chemicals such as HCl and Sulfiric Acid (I wish i did) Im only 16 so it'd probably be hard to get.

Any fun electrolysis experiments with zinc? (preferably using no acids)

[billnotgatez]

http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/electro/electro.htm

I recommend this site for some fun experiments with electrochemistry.


By the way there are lots of natural acids. Vinegar and lemon juices have acids in them.

[mafiaparty303]

speaking of lemon juice, i took a small piece of zinc, wraped it with some aluminium foil and there was lemon juice in there, the next morning i opend it to find the zinc had tarnished and become a gray/black 


what could this be?

[constant thinker]

You could use it as an alloying agent (like in brass), galvanizing steel, or you could try making your own sun tan lotion.

[mafiaparty303]

interesting, didnt know you could make your own suntan lotion from zinc,

But what about the lemon juice thing i talked out?

[billnotgatez]

Assuming that the citric acid in the lemon juice reacted with the zinc, then the possible result is zinc citrate.

[mafiaparty303]

ok, thanks!

[mafiaparty303]

O wait, we got off topic!    What can one do with a strip/bar of zinc? Preferably with house hold items? Or potassium nitrate (i have some of that), or Calcium Hydroxide?