THE REACTION BETWEEN ZINC AND IODINE

Let's make the zinc react with the iodine, thereby obtaining zinc iodide.
This is the iodine.
As it is clod-shaped, put the iodine into a mortar and crush it.
Transfer it to a porcelain capsule.
This is zinc, which is available in powder form.
Stir with a rod.
The two reactants could react now, but they don't because solid state reactions are rare, as there are no molecular collisions.
Place the capsule in the fume hood.
To facilitate molecular collisions, add water with a dropper.
A violet gas is released: it is sublimated iodine.
Some of the iodine sublimates thanks to the heat of the reaction that has already started.
The reaction is slow and lasts several minutes.
Eventually, crystals of zinc iodide form.