Sarah Spivey, a meteorologist from the San Antonio Zoo, is set to perform a live science experiment on KSAT every Wednesday. In partnership with STEM Academy Nimitz, Sarah will be demonstrating the dramatic reaction between soft and shiny metals and water.
Parents, teachers, and students are invited to tune in to GMSA@9 to witness this fascinating event. If you’re interested in trying the experiment at home, all you need is a small piece of potassium (available on Amazon), a paper towel, and a beaker with water. Remember to wear eye and hand protection before conducting the experiment.
To conduct the experiment, start by putting on eye and hand protection. Then, dry a small piece of potassium on a paper towel. Next, place the potassium in a bowl of water and step back. Finally, watch as the potassium explodes in the bowl of water.
The science behind it is that potassium reacts with water (H2O) to form potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. This reaction is exothermic, meaning it generates a lot of heat. This is why some of the potassium may catch fire during the experiment.
If you’re interested in having Sarah and David visit your school to conduct a live science experiment on KSAT, fill out the form provided. “Winners” will be selected at random (Copyright 2024 by KSAT – All rights reserved).