Reactions of Iron with Sulfur, Zinc with Sulfur
Demonstration Notes, Warnings, Safety Information
Both reactions reach quite high temperatures and the zinc reaction scatters sparks, so no flammable materials should be nearby and a fire extinguisher should be available. The zinc reaction also produces sulfur dioxide, a poisonous, irritating gas, and zinc oxide, which can cause tightness in the chest, chills, and fever. Therefore proper ventilation is required and the fumes should not be breathed.
These demonstration videos are not meant as tools to teach chemical demonstration techniques. They are meant as a tools for classroom use. Many of the demonstrations present safety hazards or are difficult for an entire class to observe as live demos. If you wish to perform the demonstrations shown here, you should obtain a copy of Shakhashiri's Chemical Demonstrations Vol. 1-4 (1), Gilbert, Alyea, Dutton and Dreisbach's Tested Demonstrations in Chemistry, Vol. I and II (2) and Ellis, Geselbracht, Johnson, Lisensky, and Robinson's Teaching General Chemistry: A Materials Science Companion (3).
Safety information can be obtained from (4).
Credits for the safety information throughout Chemistry Comes Alive!:
Frank W. Darrow, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY 14850
Kelly Houston Jetzer, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
Gery J. Essenmacher, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
David Phillips, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN 47933
John W. Moore, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI 53706
Citations
1. Shakhashiri. B. Z. Chemical Demonstrations; University of Wisconsin press: Madison, 1983; Vol. 1.
Shakhashiri. B. Z., Chemical Demonstrations; University of Wisconsin press: Madison, 1985; Vol. 2.
Shakhashiri. B. Z., Chemical Demonstrations; University of Wisconsin press: Madison, 1989; Vol. 3.
Shakhashiri. B. Z., Chemical Demonstrations; University of Wisconsin press: Madison, 1992; Vol. 4.
2. Gilbert, G. L.; Alyea, H. N.; Dutton, F. B.; Dreisbach, D. Tested Demonstrations in Chemistry; Denison University and Journal of Chemical Education: Granville, OH, 1994.
3. Ellis, A. B.; Geselbracht, M. J.; Johnson, B. J.; Lisensky, G. C.; Robinson, W. R. Teaching General Chemistry: A Materials Science Companion, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1993.
4. University of Wisconsin System Administration OSLP EHS MSDS Database; http://www.uwsa.edu/oslp/ehs/msds98-1/ Try this link if you are connected to the web.