15. Lithium On Fire

The Science: The main reaction going on here is 4Li + O2 → 2Li2O. Burning Lithium in the air creates Lithium Oxide, Lithium Peroxide, and Lithium Nitride. Small amounts of Li2O2 will also react with CO2 in the air.

16. Reaction Of Copper And Nitric Acid

The Science: When the copper is first oxidized, the solution is very concentrated, and the Cu2+ product is initially coordinated to nitrate ions from the nitric acid, giving the solution first a green, and then a greenish-brownish color. When the solution is diluted with water, water molecules displace the nitrate ions in the coordinate sites around the copper ions, causing the solution to change to a blue color.

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