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Topic: alcohol qns  (Read 5901 times)

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Offline cvn

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alcohol qns
« on: July 15, 2006, 06:16:49 AM »
a few days back, my teacher perform an experiment using alcohol concept.

she soaked a piece of paper on a solution and burn, but the paper wasn't burnt.

i had forgotten the reagent used. she said theres 3 things added in, what are they?  ???
cvn

Offline GSR

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Re: alcohol qns
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2006, 09:05:40 AM »
hey,
 
why don't you ask your teacher again.

GSR

Offline lemonoman

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Re: alcohol qns
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2006, 11:05:34 AM »
I did this experiment too, at a Science Open House for little kids.  They were always amazed that it didn't burn.  We used a $5 bill because everyone's more interested when there's money involved.  And for showmanship, we'd ask the audience if anyone had a twenty they were willing to try it with...lol

Anyways, the solution we used was just isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and water.  We'd dip it in water, then in the alcohol, and light it.  The alcohol burns away at such a low temperature, the paper doesn't ignite (especially since it's also been in water).

Offline cvn

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Re: alcohol qns
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2006, 10:45:59 PM »
hmm.. i heard my teacher saying there are 3 kinds of things added into it. i think i heard her saying one of it is in solid form.  :-\

what other things can you think about  ???
cvn

Offline lemonoman

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Re: alcohol qns
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2006, 01:50:52 AM »
what other things can you think about ???

Hehe, I can think about a lot of things.  Like naked ladies.  ;D

But getting back on topic, I suppose this third item could be almost anything.  It definitely works my way, the 2-component water-isopropyl alcohol way...so if you REALLY want to make it 3 items, just throw something else in (as long as it doesn't burn about 451°F = 233°C - the temperature at which paper burns.

Update: I found out what this 'special ingredient' is.  It's salt.  Because if you put a salt (ANY salt...table salt, epsom salt, lithium salts, potassium salt, copper salt) the flame will be more visible since it'll have colour...like red, green, orange, depends what salt you use.

There you have it.  3-component system for 'burning' money (and keeping it too) with a coloured flame = ~50% Water + ~50% Alcohol + pinch of salt ---> these can all be put together so that only one 'dip' is necessary.

Offline cvn

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Re: alcohol qns
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2006, 05:08:43 AM »
hehe thanks  ;D

cvn

Offline victor

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Re: alcohol qns
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2006, 11:54:26 PM »
there we can be magicians now... ;D

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