DIFFUSION OF GASES

Gases like hydrogen, which are insoluble in water and is less dense than liquid
water, can be collected by water displacement. Hydrogen gas can be prepared from the
reaction of zinc (Zn) metal (example is from the inner casing of used batteries or dry cells)
and hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4).

OBJECTIVE:
1. To know the set-up and process of the collection of Hydrogen gas from the
reaction of Zn and HCl.
2. To determine some of the physical and chemical property of Hydrogen gas.

INSTRUCTION:
Watch this video which demonstrates the step-by-step procedure in performing the
experiment on the preparation and properties of Hydrogen gas. Follow along with the
procedure as you watch the video.

MATERIAL:
Gas Collection Trough Zinc Metal
Gas Collection Bottles with Glass Cover Hydrochloric Acid
Reaction Chamber with Cork
Graduated Cylinder

PROCEDURE:

A. Preparation and Collection of Hydrogen Gas

1. Fill the trough with water and connect its plastic tube to the glass tube of
reaction chamber.
2. Fill the gas collection bottle with water and submerged it upside down in the
trough.
 3. Put the Zn metal in the reaction chamber and add a little amount of water
just enough to touch the thistle tube of the reaction chamber.
4. Pour 50 mL of HCl into the reaction chamber through the thistle tube.
Observe what happened to inside the reaction chamber.
5. In the gas collection trough, place the inverted gas collection bottles in the
hole where the bubbles from the reaction chamber comes out. Observe
what happened to the water inside the glass collection bottles as the bubble
goes inside the bottle.
6. Collect the hydrogen gas into the bottle until all the water inside the bottle
is displaced already. Collect the remaining hydrogen gas using the other 2
bottles.
7. Place the glass cover underneath the water and into the opening of the
inverted collection bottles. Remove the collection bottles out of the trough.

B. Testing the Properties of Hydrogen

1. Note the color of hydrogen gas.
2. Remove the glass covering of one of the inverted collection bottles then
immediately bring the burning splint near its mouth. Observe what happen.
3. Bring the second collection bottle with the hydrogen gas, and remove its
cover and put a clean collection bottle on the top of it and let it stand for a
minute. Put back the glass cover of the two collection bottles and bring a
burning splint to each of these bottles. Observe what happened.
4. For the last collection bottle, turn it upside down and remove the covering.
Allow one minute to pass before bringing a burning splint to the mouth of
the bottle. Observe what happens.