Chemistry of Fire, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009
On Sept. 29, at 7pm the Department of Chemistry held its 5th Annual Evening of Chemistry Demonstration program. This year's program focused on the chemistry of fire, flammability properties of various substances, and how fire is effected by various chemical compositions.
Olay Akinsuyi uses a tennis ball canister blaster to explain the
three requirements that must be present for a fire to occur:
fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source.
Tanya Tiwari ignites a thermit ignition stick which was then
submerged under water (and under rootbeer) to show that fire
can occur under water if an oxidizer (a substance that provides
the needed oxygen) is present.
Dr. Ken Lyle burns a magnesium ribbon. This experiment
demonstrates various types of fuels. Even metals, under the right
conditions, are flammable