Sodium Hydroxide + Aluminum + Water + Madeline + Sara = Trouble!!!!

Today, Sara and I completed an experiment in which we combined sodium hydroxide and aluminum.  We tried the experiment two times with only one being successful.  The first one used liquid sodium hydroxide (very dangerous fun stuff.  Handle with great care recklessly)  During this experiment, the water acted as an inhibitor for the reaction because nothing happened after the water was poured on.  During the second experiment we used solid sodium hydroxide (do not try this at home, people!).  This time, the water acted as a catalyst, causing the reaction to happen.  However, that reaction was slightly larger more epic than we expected.  A gas was emitted because of the large amount of water poured in with the sodium hydroxide and aluminum (which was a terrible excellent idea).  The activation energy is the amount of energy needed to cause this reaction.  Apparently, it wasn't as much energy as I thought (but, hey, the experiment was cooler).  A video will be posted on Sara's blog and I'll link to it later!  Hasta luego, amigos!

Quote to remember: "Killing people doesn't make them like you.  It only makes people dead."