Micro-Rocket Lab: We will generate oxygen and hydrogen gas and test their explosive nature, both
separately and in mixtures of varying proportions. Our goal is to find the most powerful mixture and then
use it to launch a “rocket” across the room!
1. We will generate oxygen gas in a vial containing Manganese metal (as a catalyst) and hydrogen peroxide.
Write the balanced equation for the reaction taking place in the vial.
2. We will generate hydrogen gas in a vial containing Zinc metal and 1M hydrochloric acid. Write the
balanced equation for the reaction taking place in the vial.
3. Which do you think will need to be replaced first: the Mn in the O2 generator or the Zn in the H2 generator?
Why?
4. Now for some POP TESTS! Fill a collection bulb with oxygen gas. Insert a sparking element and pull the
trigger. Observe and record your results. Repeat with pure hydrogen gas. Observe and record.
Distance Travelled
Other observations
Pure Oxygen
Pure Hydrogen
5. Now let’s try different mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen in the collection bulb. The bulb is marked off in 6
equal parts, what ratios of oxygen and hydrogen can we try? Let’s test them and record our observations!
Ratio of Hydrogen
Ratio of Oxygen
Distance Travelled
Other Observations
6. Did any mixtures produce no reaction at all? What oxygen to hydrogen proportion produced the most
explosive mixture? Why was that mixture most explosive? How is stoichiometry important to this lab?
7. Write a balanced equation for the reaction between O2 and H2 that occurs in the bulb.
8. Why do the oxygen and hydrogen gases in the collection bulb not react as soon as they mix? What role
does the spark play?