Hypnotizing Chemical Reaction Gifs That Will Keep You Busy For A While (15 gifs)

1

Belousov–Zhabotinsky reaction
The mechanism for this reaction is very complex and is thought to involve around 18 different steps which have been the subject of a number of research papers. The classic BZ reaction involves potassium bromate, cerium(IV) sulfate, and propanedioic acid (aka malonic acid) in dilute sulfuric acid. The color changes are due to the oscillating oxidation state of cerium.

2

Blood meets hydrogen peroxide
Many people have felt this reaction on their own skin. Hydrogen peroxide is good for cutting cuts and scrapes… but why does it foam like this? Well, it does this because blood and cells contain an enzyme called catalase. When the catalase comes in contact with hydrogen peroxide, it turns the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2).

3

Catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
Two solutions are mixed resulting in an eruption of foam resembling a huge stream of toothpaste. This is the classic “Elephant Toothpaste” reaction.

4

Ferrofluid

5

Electrical treeing
As surreal as it may seem, treeing of solid high-voltage cable insulation is a common breakdown mechanism and source of electrical faults in underground power cables. In electrical engineering, treeing is an electrical pre-breakdown phenomenon in solid insulation. It is a damaging process due to partial discharges.

6

A flashbulb burning out
The bulb is filled with magnesium wire, and when the camera’s shutter trips, current is passed through the wire, which ignores the magnesium and produces a bright flash.

7

Lithium Combustion

8

Alpha particle trails from radioactive decay of Radon 220

9

Combustion of mercury thiocyanate

10

White tin crumbling into grey tin after cooling to less than 13 degrees Celsius

11

Snake venom meets blood

12

Sodium acetate crystallization

13

Dehydration of sugar in sulfuric acid

14

Portal to hell?