Test the acid and base in the same way. Use the thermometer to find temperature of the water and of the air. Students will generate and trap two gasses, oxygen and carbon dioxide and learn how to do burning splint tests to identify them. Gasses are difficult for students to visualize because they are invisible. We can find out more about them by testing them.
Gasses react in different ways to a burning or glowing splint.
First the gas has to be generated and trapped. Alka Seltzer and water together release carbon dioxide. When a burning splint is placed in carbon dioxide it promptly goes out. Carbon dioxide is used in some fire extinguishers. To generate oxygen, add 5 ml of hydrogen peroxide to a pinch of yeast or manganese dioxide.