Playing with Fire

A while back, for this very magazine, I was writing about how amazing carbon nanotubes are, and how strong and light grapheme is, and all other scientific details that would greatly please the teachers and the nerds when I threw the article in the trash.

I hate chemistry.

Until tenth, it was JUST fine. Perfect grades, perfect life. Then, well, I passed. Biggest mistake of my life. And now, surviving on barely 70% grades, chemistry is synonymous with an assassin who slowly lulls you into that shroud of a false sense of security, before mutilating you.

And I end up writing for the chemistry magazine.

I only hate theoretical chemistry to be precise. Practical chemistry is awesome. So here I share with you some amazing instances of practical chemistry which, if you do try at home, please refrain from naming me if caught.

BURNIng money

Here is what you need to perform the burning money demonstration:

·         dollar bill (higher denomination if you're brave)

·         tongs

·         matches or a lighter

·         salt

·         solution of 50% alcohol and 50% water (you can mix 95% alcohol with water in a 1:1 ratio, if desired)

Have you gathered your materials? Let's burn money...

1.      Prepare the alcohol and water solution. You can mix 50 ml of water with 50 ml of 95-100% alcohol.

2.      Add a pinch salt or other colorant to the alcohol/water solution, to help produce a visible flame.

3.      Soak a dollar bill in the alcohol/water solution so that it is thoroughly wet.

4.      Use tongs to pick up the bill. Allow any excess liquid to drain. Move the damp bill away from the alcohol-water solution.

5.      Light the bill on fire and allow it to burn until the flame goes out.

6.      Let out an evil laugh (MWAHAHAHAHA!) as you watch your parents call up the mental hospital.

GREEN FIRE

It's easy to make brilliant green fire. This cool chemistry project requires only two household chemicals.

Green Fire Materials

·         Boric Acid
Medical grade boric acid can be found in the pharmacy sections of some stores for use as a disinfectant. It is a white powder. It's not the same chemical as borax. I used a cockroach repellent. Any will do.

·         Heet™ Gas Line Antifreeze and Water Remover
Heet™ is sold with automotive chemicals.

·         Metal or Stoneware Container

·         Lighter

Instructions for Making Green Fire

1.    Pour some Heet™ into the container. How much you use will determine how long your fire will burn. I used about a half cup of Heet™ for approximately 10 minutes of fire.

2.    Sprinkle some boric acid into the liquid and swirl it around to mix it up. I used 1-2 teaspoons of powder. It won't all dissolve, so don't worry about some powder at the bottom of the container.

3.    Set the container on a heat-safe surface and ignite it with a lighter.

Green Fire Tips & Safety Information

·         Boric acid is a relatively safe household chemical. You can rinse the residue remaining in the container down the drain.

·         This is an outdoor project. There isn't a lot of smoke produced, nor is it particularly toxic, but the heat is intense. It will set off your smoke alarm.

·         Be sure to set your container on a heat-safe surface. Do not follow my extremely bad example and set it on your wooden dining table. Similarly, don't use any container that might shatter dangerously. Use metal or possibly stoneware, not glass, wood, or plastic.

·         Heet™ primarily is methanol (methyl alcohol). You could try this project with other types of alcohol. Possibilities include ethanol, such as vodka (please don’t waste your Russian vodka) or isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). You might also try other common household metal salts for different flame colours.

·         The green fire could be used as a stunning Halloween decoration in a cauldron or possibly inside a jack-o-lantern.