# DANGEROUSLY Reactive (DD-358)

> Aluminum reacts vigorously with liquid bromine, often after a short delay while the metal's oxide layer is breached. The highly exothermic reaction produces sparks, flames and fumes of aluminum bromide. Aluminum gives up electrons and bromine accepts them. The footage shows aluminum foil reacting in a dish of bromine.

- Department: Science
- First published: 2024-11-02
- Last updated: 2024-11-02
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/dangerously-reactive/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-358-F01**: The reaction releases heat. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Exothermic))_
- **DD-358-F02**: It makes aluminum bromide. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Product))_

## Write-up

Aluminum dropped in liquid bromine bursts into flame. The violent reaction makes aluminum bromide.

1. **Exothermic**: The reaction releases heat.
2. **Product**: It makes aluminum bromide.
3. **Electrons**: Aluminum gives electrons to bromine.
4. **Delay**: An oxide layer slows the start.
5. **Hazard**: Bromine is corrosive.

## Related case files

- [Oxidized Aluminum (DD-271)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/oxidized-aluminum/): I linked more reactive metals
- [Smelly Smell That Smells Smelly (DD-335)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/smelly-smell-that-smells-smelly/): I linked more lab chemistry

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: DANGEROUSLY Reactive: Aluminum Dropped in Liquid Bromine Bursts Into Flame

- Duration: 26.5 s · Published: 2024-11-02
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DB20WBbOSHf.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? The reaction between liquid bromine and solid aluminum is highly exothermic and produces intense heat and bright flames. When aluminum comes into contact with bromine, it quickly oxidizes, breaking apart the bromine molecules. The reaction releases aluminum bromide as a product, which forms a white smoke. This interaction can be dangerously reactive, as bromine is a volatile, corrosive liquid that readily accepts electrons, while aluminum is a highly reactive metal with a strong tendency to donate electrons. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What is the product?**  
A: AlBr3. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Exothermic) · Wikipedia: Aluminium bromide)_

**Q: Is the reaction exothermic?**  
A: Heat and flame. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Product) · Wikipedia: Aluminium bromide)_

**Q: Which element gives electrons?**  
A: Metal. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Electrons) · Wikipedia: Aluminium bromide)_

**Q: What delays the reaction?**  
A: Surface film. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Delay) · Wikipedia: Aluminium bromide)_

**Q: What is bromine like?**  
A: Hazardous. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Hazard) · Wikipedia: Bromine)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Aluminium bromide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_bromide)
- [Wikipedia: Bromine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromine)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "DANGEROUSLY Reactive." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-358, last updated Nov 2, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/dangerously-reactive/