Report On Experiment # 3: A Study Of Lightning Based On The Generated Chemical Reaction

Introduction

Lightning is a great source of energy and affects the production of oxygen in the atmosphere. In fact, it contributes almost half percent of nitrogen and oxygen in the Earth surface. When lightning strikes, a chemical reaction occurs that can generate certain NOx chemical product. This NOx is primarily formed by a chemical reaction between NO and NO2 reactants. These reactants can be used to study the factors affecting the nature of lightning. It can also determine the production of certain NOx and NO2gas in a reaction. Therefore, this experiment is done to investigate the great source of NOx product by creating a lightning-generated chemical reaction, just as scientist Dwyer on his gamma emission study. He uses this phenomenon to know the formation of NOx and factors that affects the production .
In this experiment, three parts of methods are being used to gather the data. Part 1 is using the Saltzman method, which uses the NO indicator solution to determine the production of NO2 concentration. Part 2 is using the Beer’s Law Graph to know the independent, dependent and control variables. Part 3 is using the Tesla coil to test the spark duration of generated lights. The study will also identify if the spark length will affect the production of NOx? If adding three more Atmospheric gases on the NO concentration will show any differences; or shortening of spark duration of Tesla coil will change the entire state of NO concentration?

Materials and Methods

The experiment is going to create a lightning-generated chemical reaction by using the Saltzman process. This method is a type of chemical process that uses NO indicator solution to make a chemical reaction. This process can actually determine the production of nitrogen oxide even to the lowest part per million (ppm). Basically, the method has these active reactants such as the “N-sulfanilic acid and N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine”. It is mix with water to form a reaction. Generally, the solution has an absorbance at 550 nm and it will only vary depends on the amount of NOx in the gas.

The Chemical equation of “N-sulfanilic acid and N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine in acid) in water” (Lightning Lab experimental Handout).

It uses 5mL of sodium nitrite solution and 50 mL of NOx indicator solution for the 5-sample concentrations. As such, at 0 µg/ml; 0.2 µg/mL; 0.42 µg/mL; 0.71 µg/mL and 1 µg/mL. The outcome of these series tests will serves us variables to know one of the factors affecting the production of NOx concentration.

Results and Discussion

Base on the result of the experiment, as the concentration of NOx indication solution increases on sodium nitrite solution, the NO2- solution will also be intensified.

Graph 1.1 – Absorbance at 550 nm versus NO2- Concentrations

y = mx + b, equation for the slope
y = 0.5809x + 0.0069
Moreover, an escalating slope on Beer’s Law graph is form. Since the concentration of NO2- solution is change in the experiment as shown on data collected, and then it makes us the independent variable in the study, which usually lies on the x- axis. On the other hand, the amount of NOx indicator solution considers us the dependent variable because its changes will depend on the NO2- concentration. While, the amount of sodium nitrite solution is consider as a control variable in the project because it remains unchanged.
Third experiment is the use of Tesla coil, which is initiated with other metal object. It uses copper wire with metal nail attached on it and reaction bottle. Clip with alligator style on the opposite end to the water faucet. Then turn on the T-coil for about 15 seconds, a quarter inch spark gap becomes visible.

Average NOx Concentration: 2929.62

Since, the spark length is visible then a production of NOx created in the experiment. The result shows that- at syringe #1, the concentration of NO2 has 4458.62 µg/L and at syringe #2, it has 5327.24 µg/L. This expresses a significant increase on the production of NO2gas that as the lengths of spark increases. But at syringe # 3, which has 5327.24 µg/L is remain unchanged. It shows insignificant result maybe because one of the tools is not reliable. Therefore, the shortening or lengthen the spark duration of Tesla coil can affect the accuracy of the experiment result but cannot change the entire state of NO concentration. It can abruptly change to higher volts and down to the lowest point when sudden shorten of spark duration is made of.
Furthermore, we find more interesting about the effects of spark duration in a Tesla coil medium. We also wanted to re-examine the different gases that are added in the concentration. How it affects the totality of the NOx concentration and the Earth atmosphere as well.