Explosions

See also: Combustion

Total 13 itemsDisplaying 1 - 13 items
Title
Materials
Difficulty
Safety

Acetylene From Calcium Carbide

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Calcium carbide is put in water to form acetylene (same gas as used in welding), which burns explosively.

Asexual Propagation of Plants

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Cuttings from various plants are used to grow new plants.

Cannon fire reaction

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A mixture of ethanol and hydrogen peroxide is ignited. Crystals of potassium permanganate are added resulting in a huge flame and a series of loud bangs.

Dust Can Explosion

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Lycopodium or custard powder is put inside a can with an ignition source. Blowing on a tube going into the can causes an explosion that blows off the lid.

Gas Exploding Can

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A coffee can has a hole put in the top and bottom and is filled with lab gas. Lighting it results in a flame, followed by the top being blown off.

Hydrogen / Oxygen Bubbles

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Dilute Sulphuric acid is electrolysed in a home-made generator. The hydrogen/oxygen produced is bubbled into detergent and ignited, producing a loud pop.

Hydrogen Balloon - Aluminium and Lye

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Hydrogen is generated from the reaction of aluminium and sodium hydroxide solution in a flask, and collected in a balloon.

Hydrogen Balloon - Zinc and Acid

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Zinc and hydrochloric acid are mixed in a flask, and a balloon put over the top. The reaction produces hydrogen gas which is collected in the balloon.

Igniting Hydrogen Bubbles

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Hydrogen from a balloon (or produced directly) is bubbled into detergent solution, and the bubbles are ignited. Can be done with bubbles on hand.

Making Silane

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Magnesium is heated in silica to produce magnesium silicide, which is added to hydrochloric acid. The silane gas produce burns with a pop on contact with air.

Nitrogen Triiodide Touch Powder

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Very small amounts of iodine crystals are added to concentrated ammonia. The paste formed is dried on paper, and explodes loudly when touched.

Sodium Metal in Water

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Sodium metal is added a bowl of water. A pea-sized piece will buzz around as hydrogen is released, a larger piece will explode with a loud bang.

Test Tube Thunderstorm

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Ethanol is layered on concentrated sulfuric acid in a test tube and crystals of potassium permanganate are added, causing flashes of fire.