Solid Lead Nitrate and Potassium Iodide

Materials: ★★☆ Available in most school laboratories or specialist stores
Difficulty: ★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
Safety: ★★☆ Some safety precautions required to perform safely

Categories: Chemical Reactions, Colour Changes, Compounds

Alternative titles: Making Solid Lead Iodide

Summary

When lead nitrate and potassium iodide powders are combined and shaken, they undergo a double displacement reaction to produce yellow lead iodide.

Procedure

Place small amounts of powdered lead nitrate and potassium iodide together in a dry container.
Shake the solids forcefully — the reaction produces a mixture of white and yellow products.

Links

Rates of Yellow (Lead Nitrate + Potassium Iodide) - Jmu ChemDemos:

Variations

Compare the speed of precipitation when using solid reactants versus aqueous solutions.

Safety Precautions

Lead salts are toxic — avoid ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact.
Always wear gloves, safety goggles, and a lab coat.
Do not dispose of lead compounds down the drain; collect as hazardous waste.

Questions to Consider

What type of chemical reaction is this? (Double displacement/precipitation reaction.)