Bubbling Magnesium

bubbling magnesium2
Written by: Casey Rogers (ChemDemo) on June 11, 2013.

When magnesium ribbon is placed in hydrochloric acid, hydrogen gas is produced causing the mixture to bubble.
Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g)

If they hydrogen gas is collected, it can be ignited to demonstrate the potential safety concerns of an evolved gas.
H2 (g) + O2 (g) → H2O (g)

Hydrogen Balloons

hydrogen balloon explosion
Written by: Casey Rogers (ChemDemo) on June 13, 2012.

This demo shows the explosiveness of hydrogen, by igniting a balloon filled with hydrogen.
2H2 (g) + O2 → 2H2O (g)

Water Flowing Uphill

Written by: Casey Rogers (ChemDemo) on June 14, 2011.

A candle is placed in a crystallizing dish containing water and lit. A beaker is placed upside-down over the candle. The candle will eventually go out and the water level in the beaker will rise.
CxHy­ (wax) + (x +y/4)O2 (g) → x CO2 (g) + (y/2)H2O (l)

Relight A Candle

Written by: Casey Rogers (ChemDemo) on June 14, 2011.

Candle wax is flammable as a vapor, so a candle can be relit by igniting the smoke trail of a recently blown out candle, which contains wax vapor. This can be used to demonstrate how caution needs to be taken with flammable vapors.

Non-Burning Dollar Bill

non burning dollar bill ethanol and water
Written by: Casey Rogers (ChemDemo) on June 14, 2011.

When the bill is dipped in the water/alcohol mixture then lit on fire, the water protects the bill from burning. A large amount of the alcohol is vaporized from the heat causing a large flame around the bill.
C2H5OH + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

Jumping Flame

Written by: Casey Rogers (ChemDemo) on June 14, 2011.

This demo uses a stove made out of aluminum cans that can be lit using knowledge of vapor pressure. When the acetone surrounding the stove is lit, the acetone in the stove boils, releasing vapors that are then lit on fire.
CH3OCH3 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 3H2O

Colored Flames

manganese strontium sodium copper potassium salts burning in ethanol
Written by: Casey Rogers (ChemDemo) on June 9, 2011.

When different ionic compounds are heated, electrons around the metal atom become excited and jump energy levels. When the electrons fall back to ground state they release light and heat energy. The amount of energy released determined the wavelength and color of the light released, resulting in different colored flames.