http://www.thescienceforum.com/chemistry/35816-help-belousov-zhabotinsky-oscillating-reaction.html

am trying to reproduce the famous BZ reaction for a science fair project at school (12th grade). I have already attempted the reaction several times with no success. The chemicals I have access to for the reaction are: potassium bromate, sodium and potassium bromide (although I only use one depending on the recipe), malonic acid, sulfuric acid (catalyst) and ferroin (sulfate version). I have tried various different recipes, each using slightly different concentrations of the chemicals mentioned above. It is important to realize that I only have access to the list of chemicals I mentioned above; therefore, any recipe that uses cerium ammonium nitrate, manganese sulfate etc will not be a possible solution. Everything in the experiment goes perfectly to plan up until the point where I add the ferroin redox indicator. For instance, when I add the bromide to the acidified bromate, bromine is formed; when I add the malonic acid and stir, the solution goes clear. However, no color oscillation occurs after I add the ferroin: the solution just stays red. Sometimes (depending on the recipe attempt) the solution will go turbid and produce what looks like an iron metal precipitate: this should not happen. I am looking for some suggestions as to why this seemingly simple experiment is not working. Please Help! Thanks.

been up without answer so if anyone here can help i’ll post their replies or they can. whichever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belousov–Zhabotinsky_reaction

really neat things. look for videos of them.

your a bad influence carmen.

Boris said:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belousov–Zhabotinsky_reaction

really neat things. look for videos of them.

your a bad influence carmen.

sorry

Boris said:

http://www.thescienceforum.com/chemistry/35816-help-belousov-zhabotinsky-oscillating-reaction.html

am trying to reproduce the famous BZ reaction for a science fair project at school (12th grade). I have already attempted the reaction several times with no success. The chemicals I have access to for the reaction are: potassium bromate, sodium and potassium bromide (although I only use one depending on the recipe), malonic acid, sulfuric acid (catalyst) and ferroin (sulfate version). I have tried various different recipes, each using slightly different concentrations of the chemicals mentioned above. It is important to realize that I only have access to the list of chemicals I mentioned above; therefore, any recipe that uses cerium ammonium nitrate, manganese sulfate etc will not be a possible solution. Everything in the experiment goes perfectly to plan up until the point where I add the ferroin redox indicator. For instance, when I add the bromide to the acidified bromate, bromine is formed; when I add the malonic acid and stir, the solution goes clear. However, no color oscillation occurs after I add the ferroin: the solution just stays red. Sometimes (depending on the recipe attempt) the solution will go turbid and produce what looks like an iron metal precipitate: this should not happen. I am looking for some suggestions as to why this seemingly simple experiment is not working. Please Help! Thanks.

been up without answer so if anyone here can help i’ll post their replies or they can. whichever.

Guess – How strong is the sulfuric acid?

Another guess. Are they using de-ionised or distilled water, or just plain tap water?