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Join Sherlock Holmes in a chemical investigation involving steel, ammonia, potassium ferrocyanide, sulfuric acid, and more, culminating in a surprising transformation of a steel spoon. Dive into the scientific world of color changes, precipitates, and fruity vapors reminiscent of pineapple.
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The Chemical Adventures of Sherlock Holmes The Case of the Screaming Stepfather
“…containing a large steel spoon” Steel is an alloy consisting mostly of iron, with a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.14% by weight, depending on grade.
“I took some of the gooseberry juice, diluted it to mask the green color, and added ammonia solution to it. A deep blue color resulted.”
“Treatment with potassium ferrocyanide gave a distinct red precipitate”
“The concentrated juice was treated with sulfuric acid, then grain alcohol. Prolonged heating released fruity vapors reminiscent of, perhaps, pineapple!”
“Holmes grabbed the closest jar and forced it open. He inserted his steel spoon and began to crush and stir the contents of the jar with his steel spoon. To my amazement when the steel spoon was removed from the jar, it had been transformed, as if by the magic of alchemy, to a shiny bronze-like metal.”