Formation of Oxygen

AIM

To obtain oxygen by Priestley's method

Materials Required

1. Test tube
2. Glowing splint
3. Mercuric oxide

Procedure

Formation of Oxygen Science Fair Project

Place some red mercuric oxide in a small test tube and heat for several minutes. Hold a glowing splint at the mouth of the tube. Note what happens to the splint and watch the sides of the test tube.

Observation

You will notice that the glowing splint is relighted and tiny grey beads are produced on the sides of the test tube.

Inference

The gas that relights a glowing splint is the same gas obtained by Priestley when he heated red oxide of mercury. It is oxygen. The grey beads are beads of mercury.