Lookes like Metal but can not be??

[Labbie]

Hi Chemtalk,

I need to think of some thing for an Outcome test. That is not a metal, and will not react with HCL.
In the test the students have three test tubes, one marked A containing Zinc metal, and other marked B with a small piece of Mg Ribbon. Then one marked C with something not metal???

I had thought of a river pebble, sprayed with silver paint, but perhaps some one can think of some thing else.

Hope you can help

[ri]

metallic looking plastic button??

[lizzieb]

Silver cachous (for cake decorating)?

[hel]

what a about a silver birthday candle?

[Labbie]

What great ideas. Thank you so much, like the cake balls. Sounds just right.

[Bob]

Strip cut from a plastic unbreakable mirror.

[Ian]

Don't let the cake balls get wet, or the silver will wash off, leaving a white ball.
What about galena or sphalerite minerals or pyrite. They might react with acid, but will fail the mallerability and ductility tests. Not sure about conductivity, but I would be suprised if they conducted electricity. Pure silicone is a nice one, but harder to get hold of. Our Geology teacher has his own personal sample which he brings in on request.

Ian

[Labbie]

Thank you for all your help, in the end we spray river pebbles silver, so the students can not see the difference, between them, used river pebbles silver, zinc, and mg ribbon.

Thank you all so much

[Robb]

Hi All,

Silicon (Family of Metalloids in the Periodic Table)..... Metallic looking but non reactive with HCl...


Cheers,

Robb..

[Labbie]

Great idea Rob, thanks we will try that next time.