Extinguishing Candles with Carbon Dioxide
Description: Carbon dioxide is poured down a trough of lit candles, putting them out.
This demonstration is also available on video and on JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive“ CD-Rom.
Source: UW Card Catalog
Year: N/A Vol: N/A Page: N/A
Keywords: Carbon dioxide, Candles, Ladder, Fire extinguisher, Stairs, Density
Rating: 
Hazard: Some
- Asphyxiation hazard
- Cryogenic burn hazard
- Fire hazard
Effectiveness: Excellent
- Deeply engaging results
- Time to results is low
- Spectacular or counterintuitive effects are seen by audience
- Deep connection from demo to course material
- High reliability
Difficulty: Medium
- Adding reagents in concert or timed manipulations
- Sensitive to environment – air flow
- Careful manipulations are required
- Demos at non-standard conditions
- Prior practice recommended
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Cryogenic gloves required
- Use fire resistant surface
- Perform in a well-ventilated area
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
Class: Physical Properties, Gases, Main Group Elements, Groups IVB and VB (14 and 15)
Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry
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