Important: Safety Warning
This page contains instructions involving gunpowder or other explosive or pyrotechnic compositions. Preparing explosives as described has caused severe injuries and deaths, and is illegal in most places.
In addition, this page describes trade processes that use dangerously toxic materials such as cyanide solutions, mercury amalgams, or strong acids. These processes require training, equipment, and precautions far beyond what the text describes.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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To Obtain Hydrogen Gas
Hydrogen gas is readily procured by pouring on fragments of zinc, in a glass bottle, or lask with a bent tube, or retort, some diluted sulphuric acid (1 measure of strong acid to 5 of water). It may be collected over water. gen is recognized by its combustibility; by the pale color of its flame; by producing water only when burnt in air or oxygen; by extinguishing the flame of other bodies; and by exploding when mixed with half its weight of oxygen and fired. (Cooley.)