[HelloHelp100]

Hey, me and a friend did the instant chemical fire experiment. In this experiment, you combine safe amounts( 3-4 grams) of each potassium chlorate and granulated sugar and add a couple drops of sulfuric acid. The first two times we did it, we did it in a beaker under a fume hood. However, a very small flame occured. the next two times we did it, we did it on a watch glass and we watched a wild purple fire

1. Why did that happen? Is this due to surface area in any way, and how it impacts oxidation. Could you answer and reference a website that answers it too?
2. Why was the flame purple, this really confused me?
3. what would be the chemical equation for this reaction, and why did would it form such products?

Thanks, this has been bugging me for a long time, and I couldnt' find a website that would answer this, I think this is pretty simple stuff. Please help. Thanks!

[Mitch]

search here http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/Journal/Search/search.html

[HelloHelp100]

1. what should i search
2. is this unbalanced equation:
KClO3 + H2SO4 + C6H12O6-->KClO4 + CO2 + H2.

Anywhere close to being correct?

[billnotgatez]

C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucrose

I would assume that if there were a flame near hydrogen in the air it would become water.

The flame test for potassium is lilac.
http://www.creative-chemistry.org.uk/activities/flametests.htm