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🧪 Science with Sarah: Alkali metals 🤘

These soft & shiny metals react dramatically with water

👉 Watch the video of Sarah’s science experiment at STEM Academy Nimitz!

Hello parents, teachers and students!

Wanna see something cool? These soft and shiny metal react dramatically with water.

Be sure to check out GMSA@9 on Wednesdays when Meteorologist Sarah Spivey does the demonstrations and explains the science behind it.

Science with Sarah in partnership with the San Antonio Zoo (Copyright KSAT 2023 - All rights reserved)

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED

THIS EXPERIMENT REQUIRES EYE AND HAND PROTECTION!

  • Small piece of potassium (You can buy on Amazon)
  • Paper Towel
  • Beaker with water

DO THE EXPERIMENT

STEP 1: Put on eye and hand protection

STEP 2: Take a piece of potassium and dry it on a paper towel

STEP 3: Place the potassium in a bowl of water and step back

STEP 4: Watch as the potassium explodes in the bowl of water

HOW IT WORKS

Potassium in its pure form reacts with water (H2O) to form potassium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. This is an exothermic reaction, which means a lot of heat is generated. That’s why some of the potassium may catch fire in the experiment!

SCIENCE WITH SARAH

If you’d like Sarah and David to come to your school and conduct a science experiment live on KSAT, fill out this form. “Winners” are selected at random.

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About the Authors
Sarah Spivey headshot

Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017. Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News. When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.

Robert Samarron headshot
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