The wood ash is alkaline

Abstract

A novel lecture experiment is arranged, that could be used as a demonstration of burning wood with chemical identification of the main products of the oxidation. Pieces of standard Chinese chopsticks were burned in pure oxygen. Ways of proving the obtained products are offered. The solid product shows strongly alkaline reaction (pH > 11). For a maximum effect it is advisable to use a flow chamber (Petruševski and Najdoski, 2005). This experiment can be applied to teach processes of oxidation (burning), acids, bases and/or indicators. The experiment is suitable for classroom setting, providing an opportunity for active involvement of students in examining the properties of the resulting products.