Expert: Mike Fulcher - 10/28/2008

Question
Okay I have to give a presentation on the element Cesium and we all know that it explodes in water right. So here is my question.  How can we measure its power produced when water is applied to cesium? Lets say for example that a Gram of Cesium is placed in water and it explodes is there a way to measure the amount of energy given off.  I have combed the internet trying to find a answer but I cannot find it.  HELP

Answer
To determine the energy generated by this reaction, you need to know the "heat of formation" of the compound that's created by the reaction.  My first guess would be cesium hydroxide.  If you find it's heat of formation, then multiple that by the number of moles of cesium hydroxide you're creating, you get the amount of energy generated by that reaction.  The resulting explosion is not due to this reaction, by due to the ignition of the hydrogen that's created as a by product being ignited by the heat of the cesium water reaction.  The combustion energy of the hydrogen is just the heat of formation of water time the number of moles of hydrogen being burned.  If you add up the two reaction energies, you'll get the total energy of the "explosion".