An assortment of various elements that can be displayed to students. 

One day of lead time is required for this project.

Discussion 

There are many ways that these items could be integrated into a lecture demonstration. Use the comments section of the order form to specify which items you would like in your demonstration or contact the lecture demonstrator to arrange a customized demonstration.

Materials 

The following elements are available for display in the classroom:

• lithium
• carbon
• sodium
• magnesium
• aluminum
• silicon
• phosphorus
• sulfur
• potassium
• calcium
• iron
• nickel
• copper
• zinc
• bromine
• silver
• iodine
• mercury
• lead

Procedure 

The sealed containers of elements may be displayed from the front of the classroom. It may be appropriate to pass some of the containers of less hazardous elements around the room. If you have any doubt about whether it is appropriate to pass an element around, the lecture demonstrator will be happy to help you plan your presentation. 

Safety Precautions 

This particular demonstration is designed to illustrate only the physical properties of the elements, therefore the following elements should not be taken out of their containers: lithium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, bromine, iodine, and mercury. Particular caution should be used when handling the sealed container of bromine. If it should break, cover the spill with the sand that is provided, evacuate the room, and call 6-6666 and begin evacuation of the building. If it safe to do so, the spill can be neutralized with the sodium thiosulfate solution that is provided with the demo. If there is a mercury spill, notify the Office of Environmental Health and Safety immediately and request a mercury cleanup. Lithium, sodium, and potassium react violently with water. Phosphorus ignites in air.

Prep. Notes 

Be sure to include the bromine clean-up kit, consisting of sand or some other absorbent and 5% sodium thiosulfate solution, if the sealed flask containing bromine is to be exhibited