Organic Chemistry- Ethanol Cannon

Ethanol Cannon

Four capped bottles, three with cork stoppers, with nails protruding from each bottle. One bottle is cut away to reveal the inside.

Description: Plastic containers are filled with a small amount of ethanol and a cork is placed on the top. Touching the nails on the outside of the containers with a Tesla coil causes a spark inside the container which ignites the ethanol vapor, and the cork blows off.

Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry

Year: 1985 Vol:2 Page: 216

Keywords: Ethanol, Cork, Tesla coil, Combustion, Spark

Rating:

Hazard: Medium

Electrical shock hazard
Projectile hazard
Flammability hazard
Explosion hazard
Noise hazard
Eye irritation

Effectiveness: Good

Somewhat connected to course material
Results are clearly observable without guidance
Time to results is low
High reliability
Strong effects are seen by audience

Difficulty: Medium

Some sequential manipulations
Use of reactive substances
Use of high voltage
Handling of organic chemicals
Manipulations are simple for most to perform

Safety Precautions:

Eye protection required
Ear protection required
ABC fire extinguisher on hand
High ceiling (greater than three meters)
Use caution when igniting to minimize projectile hazard
Do not look into empty cannon bottle while energizing

Class: Combustion, Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamics

Division: General, Organic Chemistry

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