Lesson 3: Compound Experiment Monday 20 July 2010

Yesterday, we gathered at the Science laboratory for our Science lesson. We were to conduct two experiments in pairs. I worked with Mingze for the experiments. Mdm Riza briefed us on what we need to do during our experiments before giving the green light for us to begin our experiments.
The first experiment required us to burn magnesium and observe what happens before and after the burning of magnesium. We wore goggles to protect our eyes and we were to look away during the burning of magnesium for the magnesium would produce a bright spark. After the magnesium burned, we observed the current state of it. At first, the magnesium was silver in colour. After the experiment, the magnesium had turned white and powdery.
The second experiment required us to observe what happens when a glowing tip of a wooden stick after burned is placed at the tip of a boiling tube contaning a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and manganese. I added two spatulas of manganese into a boiling tube half filled with hydrogen peroxide. Once the manganese came into contact with the hydrogan peroxide, the liquid began bubbling. After a while, the bubbling stopped. I capped the boiling tube with a stopper while Mingze lit the tip of the wooden stick. Once the stick caught fire, Mingze blew the flame out to leave a the tip glowing. I immediately uncapped the boiling tube and Mingze placed the glowing tip at the mouth of the tube. Nothing happened.
We decided to add more hydrogen peroxide and manganese so that the boiling tube was about three-quarter filled. Mingze lit the tip of the wooden stick and again, after blowing the flame out, placed the tip at the mouth of the boiling tube. This time, the glowing tip brightened and miraculously, lit up!! Mdm Riza told us that this was supposed to be the outcome of our experiment. I was so happy that we had succeeded that i acted a little silly. We completed the worksheet based on the experiments and there, our mission was accomplished!!
I've learnt that when elements are mixed to form a compound, they don't retain their original properties. The new compound gains new properties.