Australia's Science Forum

Hi Everyone,

Hope you're all having a wonderful day so far!

A teacher recently put copper carbonate in my flame test aerosols & it has clogged up the pump bits. I've tried soaking them in cold & hot water but only helps a tiny bit.... does anyone know how I can clean them out? Another chemical perhaps?

Cheers kel

I have not had that problem with CuCO₃, but carbonates react with acids, so you might soak it in HCl for a few minutes. My problem is with putting FeCl₃ into the spray bottles. It is very corrosive and just eats the guts out of the spray mechanism! I generally need to replace the spray bottle each year.

Let us know how you get along

Cheers
Ian

I always spray hot water through pumps after use then pump dry then just lightly screw back on till next time when a couple have to be replaced due to springs rusted or jets blocked

Thanks guys!

We let the kids use wire loops for the FeCl3. Gives them practice!! And shows them there are different ways of doing flame tests.

Will let you know - going off to pull them out of the hot water & then use the HCl......

Hi Viclabbie, How did your pump spray's work out, after soaking in HCL????????? Our ones seem to be playing up now.