Substance or chemical reaction, that is highest rate in changing mass

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a substance or chemical reaction that can achieve the highest rate of immediate mass change, specifically focusing on DIY methods using non-dangerous materials. Participants explore the feasibility of achieving significant mass transformations, particularly in the range of 1-250 grams, and the underlying physical principles involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of achieving rapid mass changes using homemade techniques and materials, questioning whether a mass can change significantly (e.g., from 10 grams to 100 grams) almost instantly.
  • Another participant asserts that chemical reactions do not change mass, emphasizing that the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products, with exceptions being negligible relativistic effects.
  • A follow-up question asks if there is a technique to bind oxygen from the air to a substance and then release it quickly, aiming for a tactile mass change of at least ±5 grams.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the reversibility of reactions involving oxygen, noting that many such reactions release heat and may produce gases that escape, complicating the process.
  • Another participant mentions that while fuel cells can achieve a mass change of ±5 grams, the process is slow and requires significant energy, making it impractical for the desired rapid changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the feasibility of achieving significant mass changes through chemical reactions, with some asserting that mass remains constant while others explore potential techniques for mass transformation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the principles of mass conservation in chemical reactions and the practical challenges of achieving rapid mass changes with DIY methods.

roineust
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Hello!

What would be the substance, chemical reaction and technique, to have the highest rate of immediate mass change, back and forth, from low to high and back to low again, as many times as needed - using only homemade DIY, non dangerous materials and equipment?

My intentions are to deal in the range of 1-250 grams.

What would be the change under these DIY home limitations?

Would it be a change of between, say, 10 grams and 10.2 grams or is there some marvelous material mass transforming 'magic', that can make 10 grams become 100 grams, almost instantly and then again, almost instantly or when needed, back to 10 grams?

I understand that this questions might uncover some basic misunderstanding of some elementary modern physics principles (i hope not of classical physics as well...), but that's the situation here and we shall appreciate a detailed, as well as simple answer as possible!

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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Chemical reactions never change the masses*. In some reactions, you can create gases that escape, or use parts of the atmosphere (like oxygen) to bind it to your other materials, but the total mass of the products is always the same as the total mass of the chemicals used for the reaction.
This is purely classical physics - after the reaction you have the same atoms as before, just in a different arrangement.

*apart from extremely tiny relativistic effects way too small to be relevant[/size]
 
Thanks,
But is there any technique, to bind oxygen from the air, to a certain substance, up to a needed level and then to release the same amount or oxygen or other non harmful gas and have these changes very fast and at such a mass change level, that can be felt at a tactile level? say, at least a difference of +- 5 grams? or am i still misunderstanding some basic physical/chemical principle?
 
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I doubt that. Most reactions with oxygen (or nitrogen) release so much heat that they are hard to reverse - even if you are lucky and don't produce escaping water vapor or CO2 in the reaction. And even if you find such a reaction, you would have to heat the material in such a way that it does not react with oxygen again afterwards.

A 1-way reaction is easier. Just burn wood ;).

Fuel cells can reach +- 5 grams if you can store ~5 liters of hydrogen, but that is a very slow process and you need significant electric energy to reverse the reaction - and the setup will have a significant weight so you don't note a difference of 5 grams without a scale.
 
Gotcha!
Thanks!
 

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