Hydrogen Rocket Lab
Name:
Date:
Objective: To use a single replacement reaction to produce Hydrogen gas that will be
collected and synthesized into water.
Background: In single replacement reactions metal can displace other metal if they are
higher on the activity series. In this reaction zinc will replace hydrogen in hydrochloric
acid. The hydrogen gas will be driven off and collected using a gas collection trough.
Because the gas would normally escape into the air it will be collected under water.
Chemical Reaction:
Zn (s) + HCL (aq)  H2 (g) + ZnCl2 (aq)
Materials:
6 pieces Zn metal
3M Hydrochloric acid
Gas collection trough
250 ml Erlenmeyer flask
One hole stopper w/glass tubing
Plastic tubing
20 oz water bottle w/ cap
Procedure:
1. Obtain gas collecting trough with lower value closed.
2. Fill 20 oz water bottle with water and cap tightly.
3. Obtain 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask.
4. Place 5-6 pieces of zinc metal in the Erlenmeyer flask.
5. Place a one hole stopper in the flask w/ glass tubing and hose.
6. Connect flask hose to gas collection trough lower intake.
7. Fill the trough 2/3 full with tap water.
8. In a beaker, obtain 100 ml of 3M HCL.
9. Place the 3M HCl in the flask w/ zinc metal.
10. Place the water bottle upside with the cap in the trough.
11. Unscrew the cap underwater and place over the hole in the bottom of the trough.
12. Collect gas in the water bottle. Gas will displace water.
13. When bottle is empty (under water) replace the cap being careful not to lose H2gas.
14. Place bottle in PVC launch tube.
15. While upside down unscrew bottle cap and place pezo into opening.
16. Stand clear and fire.
Questions:
1. Write the single replacement reaction for the production of H2 gas.
2. Write the reaction for the following:
Hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen gas to produce water.
3. Is the reaction in Number 2 Exothermic or Endothermic?
4. If you have 6 moles of HCl, how many moles H2 gas will you produce?
5. If you react 6 mole of H2, how many moles of H20 will you produce?
6. Why do you need to collect the gas underwater using the gas collection trough?
7. List some the chemical properties of Hydrogen gas.
8. What type of reaction was used to produce the hydrogen gas?