Belousov-Zhabotinsky Reaction

Variation of experiments described in Shakhashiri vol. 2 chap. 7. Documentation for this variation given to me by Prof. W. Jolly approx. 1983 (I think).

Add to 400 ml beaker:

Solution Qty 3Xqty Description

A 24 ml 72 67 ml water,

5 g sodium bromate, 2 ml 18M sulfuric acid

B 2 ml 6 10% sodium bromide

C 4 ml 12 10% malonic acid

(wait for Br₂ to clear from solution. Carefully blow air over solution to hasten clearing.)

D 4 ml 12 ferroin (0.025M)

E 4 drops 12 drops Triton-X-100 (0.1%)

Pour into Petri dishes - just enough to completely cover the bottom. Project with OHPr. Be careful not to disturb. Can be “reset” a few times by swirling the Petri dish.

Generally done in 3X quantities in 4-6 Petri dishes

- Lonnie C. Martin

- lmartin@socraberkeley.edu