Arsenic - Periodic Table of Videos
TLDRThis video script delves into the chemistry of arsenic, a historically notorious poison. It explores arsenic's unique properties, such as sublimation, and its infamous role in murders. The script recounts failed attempts to create arsenic oxide, a deadly white powder, and successful demonstrations of Marsh's test for arsenic detection. It also uncovers arsenic's presence in historical poisoning cases, including the intriguing theory of Napoleon's arsenic poisoning through wallpaper. The script concludes with a look at arsenic's natural occurrence in minerals and its legacy in scientific discovery.
Takeaways
- 🔬 The script discusses the chemistry of arsenic, highlighting its poisonous nature and historical use in murders.
- 🐍 Arsenic is described as a fascinating element that can form a metallic film, often called an 'arsenic mirror', when heated.
- 🧪 An experiment to create arsenic oxide is detailed, involving dissolving arsenic in dilute nitric acid, which resulted in a brown solid instead of the expected white powder.
- 📚 Historical poisoning cases are mentioned, including the 1858 Bradford sweets incident and a solicitor's arsenic poisoning in the 1920s.
- 🔍 Marsh's test is introduced as a method for detecting arsenic, involving a reaction with zinc and sulfuric acid to produce a lavender flame.
- 🏠 The dangers of arsenic poisoning from the green pigment 'Scheele's green' used in wallpaper are explained, which could release arsenic gas in poorly ventilated rooms.
- 💔 The script suggests that Napoleon Bonaparte's hair contained arsenic, possibly from mold on his wallpaper, but not enough to have caused his death.
- 🧪 An Australian chemist and technician are mentioned for using mold to convert a non-volatile arsenic compound into a volatile one, demonstrating the mold's unique chemical capabilities.
- 💥 A violent reaction involving liquid fluorine and arsenic is recounted, resulting in an explosion that scattered lab equipment.
- 🌄 The script mentions the mineral realgar, an arsenic sulfide with red crystals, which may have been known in ancient times due to its bright color.
- 📅 Old papers for testing arsenic, dated 1942, were found and tested without success, suggesting they may have expired or require specific instructions for use.
Q & A
What is the chemical property of arsenic that makes it interesting?
-Arsenic is interesting because it doesn't melt when heated; instead, it sublimates, forming vapor that condenses on the side of the vessel to create a metallic film known as an arsenic mirror.
Why is arsenic particularly famous in history?
-Arsenic is particularly famous as a poison, having been used historically to get rid of lovers, wives, or just awkward people.
What is the chemical formula for arsenic oxide?
-The chemical formula for arsenic oxide is As2O3.
What was the outcome of the experiment where arsenic was dissolved in dilute nitric acid?
-The experiment resulted in a violent reaction with lots of bubbling and the formation of nitric oxide gas, which reacted with air to produce brownish fumes of nitrogen dioxide.
Why did the experiment to create arsenic oxide result in a brown solid instead of a white powder?
-The brown solid was likely due to the presence of unreacted arsenic particles in the white powder, indicating that the process was not entirely successful.
What is the significance of the Bradford sweets incident of 1858?
-The Bradford sweets incident, where more than 200 people were poisoned and over 20 died after consuming sweets adulterated with arsenic oxide, led to greater control of arsenic in the United Kingdom.
What was the Marsh test used for?
-The Marsh test was used to detect the presence of arsenic in a sample by reacting it with hydrogen to form a compound called Arsene, which when burned, leaves a trace of arsenic on a cold surface that can be presented as evidence in court.
How did arsenic poisoning occur from green wallpaper in the 19th century?
-The green pigment in wallpaper, called Scheele's green, contained a copper salt of arsenic. In poorly ventilated and damp conditions, mold could convert the arsenic into a gas that, when inhaled, was lethal.
What was the outcome of the experiment involving bread injected with an arsenic compound and mold?
-The mold converted the non-volatile arsenic compound into a volatile gas, which was then led through a tube into a solution, resulting in a yellow solution of a new arsenic complex.
What was the significance of the arsenic sulfide mineral realgar found in the store?
-Realgar, an arsenic sulfide mineral with bright red crystals, is significant because it likely contributed to the historical knowledge of arsenic compounds due to its vivid color and presence in ancient minerals.
Why did the experiment with liquid fluorine and arsenic result in an explosion?
-The experiment with liquid fluorine and arsenic resulted in an explosion due to the highly reactive nature of fluorine, which can cause violent reactions with certain substances like arsenic when not carefully controlled.
What was the purpose of the old lead acetate papers found in the script?
-The old lead acetate papers were used for testing the presence of arsenic in a sample. They were expected to turn black upon exposure to arsenic, but in the experiment described in the script, they did not react as expected.
Who is credited with discovering arsenic, and what is the significance of Albertus Magnus in Cologne?
-Albertus Magnus, a German Bishop, is credited with discovering arsenic. In Cologne, where he is buried, there is a tradition where graduating PhD students touch his statue's thumb for good luck in their future careers.
Outlines
🔬 Chemistry and Poisonous History of Arsenic
This paragraph discusses the chemistry of arsenic, highlighting its poisonous nature and historical use in murders. It describes an experiment where arsenic is heated and sublimates to form an 'arsenic mirror.' The text also touches on the use of arsenic oxide in poisoning, with a recount of a tragic incident in Bradford, England, where over 200 people were affected by arsenic poisoning due to its accidental inclusion in sweets. The paragraph concludes with a failed attempt to create arsenic oxide, resulting in a disappointing brown solid instead of the expected white powder.
🕵️♂️ Notorious Cases of Arsenic Poisoning and Marsh Test
The second paragraph delves into two infamous cases of arsenic poisoning in the UK. The first case recounts a solicitor in the 1920s who poisoned his wife and a business rival, leading to his execution. The second case introduces Marsh's test, a method invented in the 19th century to detect arsenic in a body, which is demonstrated through an experiment. The paragraph also discusses the poisoning risk from the green pigment 'Scheele's green' used in wallpapers, which led to arsenic exposure through mold growth in poorly ventilated rooms.
🏛️ The Deadly Green Wallpaper and Arsenic's Role in History
This paragraph explores the dangers of 'Sheila's green,' a copper arsenite pigment used in wallpapers that could release arsenic when mold grew on it. It mentions the theory that Napoleon Bonaparte may have been poisoned by arsenic from his wallpaper, a theory supported by an analysis of a sample of his wallpaper. The paragraph also describes an unusual experiment by Australian chemist Bruce Wilde, who used mold to convert non-volatile arsenic compounds into volatile ones, leading to the discovery of a new complex.
🧪 Arsenic in Minerals and Historical Detection Methods
The final paragraph covers the presence of arsenic in minerals, specifically 'realgar,' an arsenic sulfide with red crystals. It discusses the historical significance of arsenic, including its discovery by Albertus Magnus and the tradition of touching his statue's thumb for good luck among PhD graduates in Cologne. The paragraph also recounts an incident involving an explosion during an experiment with liquid fluorine and arsenic, and ends with the discovery of old papers for arsenic testing dating back to 1942.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Arsenic
💡Sublimation
💡Arsenic oxide
💡Nitric oxide
💡Evaporation
💡Poisoning
💡Marsh test
💡Sheila's green
💡Napoleon Bonaparte
💡Realgar
💡Lead acetate papers
Highlights
The chemistry of arsenic is explored, including its poisonous compounds and historical use in murders.
Arsenic's appearance is described as metallic but the sample appeared brown, which was then heated to sublimate and form an arsenic mirror.
Arsenic oxide, a notorious poison, was attempted to be synthesized by dissolving arsenic in dilute nitric acid, resulting in a violent reaction.
The process of creating arsenic oxide involved a filter system and evaporation, but resulted in a sticky brown solid instead of a white powder.
A historical poisoning incident in Bradford, England, is recounted, where arsenic was mistakenly used as a sugar substitute, leading to numerous deaths.
The story of a solicitor in the UK who poisoned his wife and a business rival with arsenic, leading to his execution.
Marsh's test for detecting arsenic is demonstrated, involving a reaction with zinc and sulfuric acid to produce a lavender flame.
The use of arsenic in green pigments for wallpaper, which could release toxic gas, is discussed, with a connection to Napoleon's death.
Experiments by Bruce Wilde and Paul Gauguin using mold to convert non-volatile arsenic compounds into volatile ones, resulting in a new complex.
An explosion during an experiment with liquid fluorine and arsenic, highlighting the violent potential of arsenic in certain conditions.
The presence of arsenic sulfide in the mineral realgar, which may have contributed to ancient knowledge of arsenic compounds.
Discovery of old papers for testing arsenic from 1942, which did not react as expected when tested.
Albertus Magnus, credited with discovering arsenic, and a tradition of touching his statue for good luck among PhD students in Cologne.
The story of arsenic's role in a murder case where the victim's body was analyzed using a clever test from the 19th century.
A demonstration of the synthesis of Scheele's green, a copper salt pigment containing arsenic, and its historical dangers.
Napoleon's hair was found to contain arsenic, possibly due to mold on the wallpaper in his exile home, as analyzed by David Jones.
Transcripts
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