Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton)
Comparing the Specific Heat of Metals II
Endothermic Reactions of Barium Hydroxide and Ammonium Salts
Explosive Decomposition of Nitrogen Triiodide
Explosive Reaction of Hydrogen and Oxygen
Comparing the Specific Heat of Metals I
Decomposition of Ammonium Dichromate
Evaporation as an Endothermic Process
Evaporation of Ether is Endothermic
Explosions of Lycopodium and Other Powders
Reaction of Calcium Oxide and Water
Reaction of Potassium Permanganate and Glycerine
Spontaneous Combustion of White Phosphorus
Reaction of Metals and Hydrochloric Acid
Ethanol Cannon
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: 1885 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
The demonstration Ethanol Cannon may be found under Liquids and Solids- Ethanol Cannon.
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