Is it Friday? Do you want fire? Of course you do!
The title is video link (where available). PDF file is below the description.
- Ammonium Dichromate Volcano – Ignite an (NH4)2Cr2O7 volcano in an aquarium to produce N2 (g), H2O (g), and Cr2O3 (s)
- Combustion of Candy – Contrast the oxidation of sucrose in the body (by eating some candy) with the oxidation of sucrose by KClO3 (as shown by dropping some candy into molten KClO3, producing steam and a lavender flame. Body temperature is ~37°C, and the melting point of KClO3 is 368°C.
- Combustion of Ethanol Vapor – Allow a small amount of ethanol to vaporize in a large carboy, pour out the excess liquid, and hold a lighted splint to the mouth of the container – the impressive reaction also demonstrates the flammability of organic vapors.
- Combustion of Mg in CO2 – Demonstrate the combustion of magnesium in dry ice, resulting in a luminous effect as well as the production of MgO and elemental Carbon
NOTE: 48 hour notice is required for this demo - Combustion of Methane Bubbles – Use a candle on a dowel rod to ignite large soap bubbles filled with CH4 – this is very impressive! If a more intense demo is needed, try Methane Bubbles XTREME.
- Ether Fire – Demonstrate the combustion of ether by allowing the vapor to flow from a can down an inclined trough to a candle, resulting in a vapor flashback fire.
- Fireworks balloons – Show the brilliant colors of metal cations in a fun way by igniting hydrogen balloons containing metal salts.
- Flame Tests – Introduce various metal salts (e.g. NaCl, SrCl2, CuCl2) into an open flame to produce brilliant colors associated with exciting metal cations.
- H2-O2 balloons – Ignite a balloon filled with a stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen and oxygen to show the extremely exothermic reaction to produce water.
- Methane Bubbles XTREME – Ignite a tower of methane-filled soap bubbles to produce a pillar of flame 3-5m high. As seen on Mythbusters!
- Potassium and Water – Drop a piece of potassium into a few inches of water and phenolphthalein in an aquarium to produce H2 (g) and KOH (aq) – the heat of reaction ignites the H2 (g) and a lavender flame is observed, and the indicator turns pink from the formation of KOH.
- Thermite – Perform the thermite reaction, in which Al and Fe2O3 react to produce molten iron.
NOTE: 48 hour notice is required for this demonstration