Firefly Reaction

 

Hazards: 

Bromine is corrosive and toxic.  Wear gloves and dispense it in a hood.

 

Chemicals and Solutions: 

approximately 15 mL bromine

 

Materials: 

3L erlenmeyer flask with stopper to fit

aluminum foil

steel wool

scissors

 

Procedure: 

  • Place the bromine in the erlenmeyer and stopper the flask.
  • Gently rub the aluminum foil with steel wool to score the surface.  Cut the foil into tiny squares. 

  • Add a handful of aluminum squares to the flask of bromine.  Dim the lights.  In about one minute you should see the "firefly" flashes of light produced from the reaction of aluminum with bromine.  After the reaction is over, you may see a white coating of aluminum bromide on the flask.

 

Hint: 

It is important to score the aluminum foil so that aluminum is exposed through the aluminum oxide coating.

Do not use extra thick foil, the reaction can take off! 

 

Discussion: 

 

 

To schedule a demonstration, please send an email to the demonstration lab.

 

Contact:

Eric Camp

Lecture Demonstration Technician

Bagley Hall 171

(206) 543-1606

ericcamp@uw.edu

 

Site Map | Contact Us