Materials Science Experiments
A thermochromic paint is prepared using Ag2[HgI4]. A painted paper is laminated. When the temperature is increased, the color of drawings changes from yellow to red.
A piece of nitinol wire with spiral shape is placed in Petri dish. In contact with hot water the wire changes its shape.
A pyrophoric iron is prepared by pyrolysis of iron(II) oxalate. It can ignite spontaneously in contact with air.
A pyrophoric lead is prepared by pyrolysis of lead(II) tartrate. It can ignite spontaneously in contact with air.
Magnesium silicide in contact with hydrochloric acid produces silane which in contact with air ignites spontaneously.
Electrochromism of 3Ni(OH)2·2H2O
Thin films of 3Ni(OH)2∙2H2O were prepared with chemical bath deposition. They exhibit electrochromism in alkaline solution followed by color change from colorless to black.
Magnetic properties of gaseous oxygen
An oxygen bubble can be attracted by the magnetic field of a strong magnet.