Experiment 4.
To Make Hydrogen From Water.—Drop a piece of potassium into a little water and cover it. The potassium floats on the water and soon burns. Potassium acts vigorously on cold water, setting free hydrogen, and unites with parts of it to form “caustic potash.”
CHAPTER IV.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GENERATOR.
The construction of the generator is the first step in the mechanical part of the business, and to simplify this a complete set of reference drawings has been constructed and is herewith given. The assembling of the parts should be clear, with the assistance of the perspective drawing of the completed apparatus, and any mechanic of ordinary ability should be able to construct this generator without any trouble. The following bill of material should first be purchased:
One ⅞-inch whitewood board 10 inches wide and 8 feet 6 inches long.
One ½-inch whitewood board 12 inches wide and 4 feet 6 inches long.
One piece of 6-pound sheet lead 3 feet wide and 6 feet 6 inches long.
Three ⅛-inch female hose end gas cocks.
One piece of ⅛-inch brass tubing 2 feet long.
One foot of ¼-inch lead pipe.
One 4-inch charging screw.
One 1¼-inch cleaning screw.