What happens when you mix drain cleaner and aluminum foil?

The combination of the hydrogen chloride or sodium hydroxide in the fluid and the aluminum foil creates a strong chemical reaction which releases hydrogen gas; when that gas builds up to sufficient pressure, it ruptures the side of the plastic bottle, releasing the contents in an explosive burst.

Does lye react with aluminum foil?

We made observations, such as the aluminum foil fizzing when it is mixed with the lye solution and the gas that it forms had a distinct smell. This is proof that a chemical reaction occurred between the aluminum and the lye solution. The inflation of the balloon shows the existence of the hydrogen gas.

How do you make hydrogen from water and aluminum?

In the vicinity of room temperature, the reaction between aluminum metal and water to form aluminum hydroxide and hydrogen is the following: 2Al + 6H2O = 2Al(OH)3 + 3H2. The gravimetric hydrogen capacity from this reaction is 3.7 wt.

Why does drain cleaner dissolve aluminum?

Aluminum is an amphoteric element which means that it will dissolve in both acids and bases. If the cleaner is lye (sodium hydroxide, lye) the addition of water to the solid lye will cause the solution to attack and dissolve the aluminum and release hydrogen gas.

Why is aluminum in drain cleaner?

The aluminum granules that are included in the solid caustic drain cleaner is an aluminum oxide that breaks down and re-oxidizes to release hydrogen gas. Because the release of hydrogen gas is overall an exothermic reaction, the extra heat released helps to break down the greases, oils, etc. that form the clog.

What happens if you add aluminum foil to sodium hydroxide?

Aluminum is a metal; so when it reacts with sodium hydroxide, hydrogen gas is produced. Following reaction takes place. A pop sound is produced due to the release of odourless and colourless hydrogen gas.

What happens when Aluminium foil reacts with water?

In combination with water, a highly flammable hydrogen gas is formed. Aluminium chloride is considered hydrolysing in water. A fine mist forms in the air. The reaction with water vapour can even lead to small drops of hydrochloric acid form on the aluminium foil.

How does hydrogen peroxide react with aluminum?

Aluminum provides the most stable surface for the storage of hydrogen peroxide. There are some special grades of hydrogen peroxide that are corrosive to aluminum. Aluminum is subject to attack from chlorides, which may be introduced with water used for dilution.

Why aluminum foil is used in the production of hydrogen?

Aluminum foil for example reacts faster than a heavy gauge aluminum wire, and aluminum in a powdered form reacts instantly to produce hydrogen gas. A series of eight experiments was carried out to measure the volume of hydrogen gas produced in a typical reaction.

Does hydrogen react with aluminum?

Aluminum does not react with hydrogen directly — the metal forms compounds, through the loss of electrons, which are received by other elements. We should note that hydrogen is the only gas which significantly dissolves in aluminum and its alloys.