A Safe and Easy Classroom Demonstration of the Generation of

A Safe and Easy Classroom Demonstration of the Generation of Acetylene Gas Submitted by

Marilyn Blagg Cox Louisiana Tech Universitv Ruston, LA 71272 Checked by

Paul Krause University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR 72032

The following demonstration can be used with H variety of audiences. The or~ginalintent of the demonstration was for use in an organicehemistry class to illustrate the alkyne family of compounds. However, the reaction employed can be used to introduce the topic of chemical changes to middle or junior high school students--combine a solid and a liquid to produce a gas. High school or introductory college students can benefit from aspects of the demonstration as well. As an organic chemist6 instructor, it is my goal to show the students a t least one classroom demonstration for each class of com~ounds(alkanes. alkenes. alkvnes. etc.) that is studied. To illustrate the alkynes, there are several available classroom demonstrations desiened to show the eeneration and combustion of acetylene