Building a Safer Apparatus for Distilling Alkali Metals

🧪Cody invents a safer apparatus for distilling alkali metals to minimize metal loss and prevent accidents.

🔥The new apparatus features a leak-proof design and a liquid seal to ensure the efficient distillation of alkali metals.

🤝Adding cesium chloride on top of molten tin helps prevent metals from mixing and reduces metal loss during distillation.

🔬By increasing the tolerance of the apparatus, Cody aims to improve the ease of opening the chamber when solidified salt is present in future designs.

💯Using the new apparatus, Cody successfully distills cesium with a yield of approximately 35 percent.

Why is it important to build a safer apparatus for distilling alkali metals?

—Building a safer apparatus is important to minimize metal loss, prevent accidents, and ensure the efficient distillation of alkali metals.

What are the key features of the new apparatus?

—The new apparatus features a leak-proof design, a liquid seal to keep oxygen out, and an improved tolerance to facilitate easy chamber opening.

How does adding cesium chloride on top of molten tin help prevent metal mixing?

—Adding cesium chloride creates a barrier between metals, preventing them from mixing and reducing metal loss during distillation.

What is the purpose of the liquid seal in the apparatus?

—The liquid seal keeps oxygen out of the chamber, ensuring the successful distillation of alkali metals.

What yield does Cody achieve when distilling cesium using the new apparatus?

—Cody achieves a yield of approximately 35 percent when distilling cesium using the new apparatus.

00:00Cody introduces the video and explains his plan to build a better apparatus for distilling alkali metals.

02:45Cody describes the chemistry behind distilling alkali metals and the importance of driving the reaction in one direction to achieve the desired metal.

06:16Cody showcases the final design of the new apparatus and highlights its improved safety features.

07:11Cody demonstrates the process of removing the zinc coating from metal parts and cutting them to fit the apparatus.

09:37Cody melts tin and adds cesium chloride to prevent metal mixing during distillation.

14:14Cody successfully distills cesium using the new apparatus and analyzes the yield.

16:35Cody opens the chamber while it's still hot to avoid difficulty caused by solidified salt and pours out the salt.

17:33Cody concludes the video and reflects on the success of the new apparatus.