Squeaky Pop Test
How to test for hydrogen
- The test for hydrogen consists of holding a burning splint held at the open end of a test tube of gas
- If the gas is hydrogen it burns with a loud “squeaky pop” which is the result of the rapid combustion of hydrogen with oxygen to produce water
- Be sure not to insert the splint right into the tube, just at the mouth, as the gas needs air to burn
Diagram showing the test for hydrogen gas
Exam Tip
It is easy to confuse the tests for hydrogen and oxygen. Try to remember that a ligHted splint has an H for Hydrogen, while a glOwing splint has an O for Oxygen.