A combustion reaction gives off energy, usually in the form of heat and light. The reaction itself includes oxygen combining with another compound to form water, carbon dioxide, and other products.
A campfire is an example of wood and oxygen combining to create ash, smoke, and other gases. Here’s the reaction for the burning of methane (CH4) which gives carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O):
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O
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We will be creating hydrogen gas by making a heterogeneous mixture of zinc powder and calcium hydroxide and heat it. The hydrogen bubbles into test tube in a water bath. When we mix our test tube of hydrogen with the air the room, the hydrogen burns…it actually explodes. Our amounts are small, but you will witness a cool, small, explosion.
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