Combustion of Cellulose Nitrate (Guncotton)
Comparing the Specific Heat of Metals II
Endothermic Relations 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
Reactions of Metals and Hydrochloric Acid
Explosive Reaction of Hydrogen and Oxygen
Description:
A) Balloons filled with hydrogen alone, oxygen alone, and a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen are ignited.
B) Soap bubbles are filled with a mixture of hydrogen-oxygen and ignited.
C) A special cannon is filled with mixture of hydrogen-oxygen, corked, and ignited, using a spark-plug built into the cannon.
This demonstration is also available on video and JCE “Chemistry Comes Alive!” Vol.1 CD-Rom.
Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry
Year: 1983 Vol: 1 Page: 106
Keywords: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Balloons, Soap bubbles, Cannon
Rating: 
Hazard: Medium
- Flammability hazard
- High noise explosion
- Electric shock hazard
- Slip hazard
- Explosion hazard
Effectiveness: Excellent
- Results are clearly observable without guidance
- Good connection from demo to course material
- Profound effects are observed
- Time to results is low
- High reliability
Difficulty: Medium
Ver. A)
- Simple procedures
- Simple intermediate steps to results
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
Ver. B)
- Simple procedures
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Precise manipulations required
- Simultaneous manipulations required
- Prior practice recommended
- Two performer demo optional
Ver. C
- Simple procedures
- Some intermediate steps to results
- Simple manipulations for most to perform
Safety Precautions:
- Eye protection required
- Ear protection required
- ABC fire extinguisher on hand
- Ceiling higher than three meters
- Use UL approved three-prong plug and outlet
- Avoid high voltage end of coil
- Use caution when employing soap during demonstration
Class: Main Group Chemistry, Stoichiometry, Thermochemistry, Groups IA, IIA, and IIIB (1, 2, and 13), Kinetics
Division: General, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
The demonstration Explosive Reaction of Hydrogen and Oxygen may be found under Stoichiometry- Explosive Reaction of Hydrogen and Oxygen.
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