Flammable Ice

By John Farrier in Science & Tech, Video Clips on Oct 29, 2009 at 3:47 pm

High school science teacher “Mr. Kent” has a YouTube channel full of neat chemistry demonstration videos. In this one, he sets ice on fire. Here’s how:

Ice is added to a dry Pyrex bowl. When the Ice melts the water reacts with the calcium carbide (place on the bottom) to produce acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide. The acetylene gas then explodes into flames when a match is place on top. It will continue to burn even as the ice melts because it keeps producing acetylene until the calcium carbide runs out.

via Urlesque | Mr. Kent’s Chemistry Page | YouTube Channel

Tags: acetylene, calcium carbide, fire, Ice

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DoodleBean
Oct 29th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Actually, it’s a demo of flammable acetylene gas, not a demo of flammable ice.
Jaan Peter Kanellis
Oct 29th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I am guessing it has something to do with the pyrex bowl.
ironman
Oct 29th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Calcium Carbide was the fuel used in old time “miners lamps” to provide a flame for light,altough dim ,by wetting it,burned.The gas produced (acyetylene) is also very combustable and/or EXSPLOSIVE depending on the amount of oxygen available.Also,much modern torch use acetylene is still made this way.Shops that use large amounts of acetylene still have “acetylene generators” using Humidified calcium carbide,as it is cheaper to produce than buying the bottled stuff.HA HA;I’m smarter than you!!!
1hen2ducks
Oct 29th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Get calcium carbide at

http://bit.ly/1UoFb9
Tahwimby
Oct 30th, 2009 at 2:28 am
It is more impressive to put the calcium carbide in a snowball. A must for people who snowshoe or go snowmobiling. It’s easy to start a fire with fuel all around you!

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