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Greetings fellow nerds.
In this video we're going to make sodium nitrate,
a potassium nitrate substitute.
We will be showing two methods, one using baking soda.
And another using sodium hydroxide.
First, obtain 80 grams of ammonium nitrate from an instant cold pack
as described in our previous video on potassium nitrate.
This time, add 150 milliliters of water and stir until it's dissolved.
Then filter it out directly into 84 grams of sodium bicarbonate,
which is baking soda.
Once it's all mixed,
it needs to be boiled to decompose the ammonium bicarbonate that's formed.
This is going to release large quantities of toxic ammonia gas
so you need to do this step outside or in a fumehood.
Boil it down to less than 100 milliliters of fluid
and then let it evaporate at room temperature to give sodium nitrate.
While that's going, we'll show you the sodium hydroxide method.
Once again weigh out 80 grams of ammonium nitrate
and pour on top 40 grams of sodium hydroxide without mixing it.
Then carefully add 30 milliliters of water and stand back.
It will quickly produce a large quantity of ammonia
as the reaction proceeds to generate sodium nitrate.
Needless to say this must be done outside or in a fumehood.
When the reaction calms down, very carefully stir it
to thoroughly mix the chemicals.
It might start up again so go slowly.
Once it's completely mixed add an additional 50 milliliters of water
to dissolve all the chemicals, and filter it out.
Let the clear liquid evaporate outside or in very well-ventilated area.
Both of the methods described will eventually give you pure sodium nitrate.
You can test your sodium nitrate for reactivity by mixing a small quantity
with an equal amount of sugar, and setting it on fire.
You'll notice that a sodium nitrate flame is a bright yellow color
while a potassium nitrate flame is a purple/pink color.
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