Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions
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Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions Volume I An Illustrated Collection of Extraordinary, Unusual, and Thrilling Chemistry Demonstrations and Activities Chris Schrempp, B.Sci, Pharm.D., M.Ed. Note: Some pages of this document have intentionally been left blank to facilitate printing. The blank pages enable section headings and most demonstrations to begin on odd- numbered (face) pages. Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions An Illustrated Collection of Extraordinary, Unusual, and Thrilling Chemistry Demonstrations and Activities Christopher Schrempp, B.Sci., B.Pharm., Pharm.D., M.Ed Second Edition ExploScience Publications Alta Loma, California Bangs, Flashes and Explosions, 2nd Edition: An Illustrated Collection of Extraordinary, Unusual, and Thrilling Chemistry Demonstrations and Activities. Copyright © 2007 by Christopher Schrempp and Exploscience Publications. Manufactured in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. Published by Exploscience Publications, 6988 Mango Street, Alta Loma, California 91701. (909) 972-5607. Second edition. Although the author and publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions or any other inconsistency herein. Any slights against people or organizations are unintentional. ©2007 Exploscience Publications 6988 Mango Street • Alta Loma, CA 91701 Phone 909-972-5607 Disclaimer The demonstrations and activities in this book have been compiled from personal research, experience, and from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, no warranty, guarantee, or representation is made by the author, Exploscience Publications, or ExploScience.com. as to the correctness or sufficiency of any information herein. Neither the author nor ExploScience.com assumes any responsibility or liability for the use of the information herein, nor can it be assumed that all necessary warnings and precautionary measures are contained in this publication. Other or additional information or measures may be required or desirable because of particular or exceptional conditions or circumstances, or because of new or changed legislation. Instructors, demonstrators, and others using this manual must develop and follow procedures for the safe handling, use, and disposal of chemicals in accordance with local regulations and requirements. ©2007 ExploScience.com 6988 Mango Street • Alta Loma, CA 91701 Phone 909-972-5607 Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions – An Illustrated Collection of Chemistry Demonstrations ©2007 Chris Schrempp and ExploScience.com. All Rights Reserved Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions – An Illustrated Collection of Chemistry Demonstrations Table of Contents Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions ............................................................................i Introduction..........................................................................................................................................i Using This E-Book.............................................................................................................................v Section 1: Introductory Demonstrations........................................................... 1 The Edible Candle.............................................................................................................................1 Cooking with Paper ..........................................................................................................................3 Fireproof Balloon...............................................................................................................................4 Seeing Through Paper.....................................................................................................................5 The Disappearing Coffee Cup.......................................................................................................7 Acid in the Eye ...................................................................................................................................9 Jumping Flame.................................................................................................................................10 Needle Through a Balloon ...........................................................................................................12 Match-Making ...................................................................................................................................13 Fireproof Money...............................................................................................................................15 Section 2: Density .................................................................................................. 17 Sunken Ice Cube .............................................................................................................................17 Sugar Solution Density Column .................................................................................................19 The Levitating Golf Ball................................................................................................................21 Candle CO2 Tank..............................................................................................................................23 Density Paradox ..............................................................................................................................25 Section 3: Elements, Compounds, Mixtures .................................................. 27 Thixotropic and Dialatent Fluids (Oobleck)..........................................................................27 Shrinking Liquids.............................................................................................................................29 Section 4: Energy and Thermodynamics ........................................................ 31 A Two-Bit (25¢) Exothermic Phase Transition ....................................................................31 Gummy Bear Sacrifice ..................................................................................................................32 Energy From the Oxidation of Food .........................................................................................34 Catalytic Acetone Combustion..................................................................................................35 Chemical Super Glue (endothermic) Reaction ....................................................................36 Sugar Pyrotechnics ........................................................................................................................37 Canned Heat .....................................................................................................................................41 Insecticide Bug “Bomb” ...............................................................................................................43 Flames Without Matches..............................................................................................................45 Chlorination of Acetylene ............................................................................................................47 The Carbon Dance ..........................................................................................................................49 Reaction of Potassium Nitrate and Carbon ..........................................................................50 MRE’s: Meals Ready to Eat..........................................................................................................51 Exothermic Reaction of Calcium Oxide and Water ...........................................................53 ©2007 Chris Schrempp and ExploScience.com. All Rights Reserved Bangs, Flashes, and Explosions – An Illustrated Collection of Chemistry Demonstrations Section 5: Waves, Electrons, Atomic Theory and Periodic Trends........ 55 Rutherford Experiment Simulation...........................................................................................55 Total Internal Reflection (The Water Fiber Optic Demo).................................................57 Colored Flames ................................................................................................................................61 Throwing Flame(test) Flames ....................................................................................................63 Bengal Flames..................................................................................................................................65 Fiery Tornado....................................................................................................................................67 The Incredible Glowing Pickle (aka: The Electric Pickle) ..............................................69 Reactions of Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium in Water..................................................71 Section 6: Chemical Bonding.............................................................................. 73 Alchemy – Changing Copper to Gold .......................................................................................73 Section 7: Chemical Reactions.........................................................................