For safe chemistry experiments to do at home sign up to MEL Science here: [ Ссылка ]
Warning! Substances of this experiment are toxic and highly dangerous for your health. Do not try this at home. Only under professional supervision.
Avoid burns – make sure your hand is wet! Wear protective glasses. Don’t conduct the experiment near flammable substances and objects. Fire-extinguishing equipment should be at the ready. Follow general safety recommendations. Chemical experiments must be carried out in full compliance with the legislation of your country.
Reagents and equipment:
* water;
* liquid soap;
* gas from cigarette lighters;
* rubber or silicon hose;
* large bowl;
* cigarette lighter.
Step-by-step instructions
Pour water into a bowl and dissolve liquid soap in it. Start to bubble the gas through the soapy solution until a sufficient amount of thick foam forms. Stop the bubbling. Wet your hand and place a little of the foam on it. Bring a lighter up to the foam – the foam quickly flares and burns, without burning your hand. (Don’t do this near the bowl with the remaining foam, so that it doesn’t catch fire).
Processes description
The gas used in cigarette lighters is a highly flammable mixture of propane and butane. If it is passed through soapy water, a foam forms, with bubbles filled with combustible gas. If you wet your hand first, you can set fire to this foam on your hand. The propane-butane mixture burns quickly, so it won’t burn the experimenter’s hand.
