Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults.
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Screaming gummy bear
Chemistry
The spectacular way of releasing all the energy in a candy. This is an experiment about chemical reactions and energy.
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Video
Materials
- Potassium chlorate
- 1 scale with 0.1 g accuracy
- 1 small container for the potassium chlorate
- 1 stand with a test tube clamp
- A 25 mm test tube (borosilicate)
- 1 gummy bear
- 1 pair of beaker tongs
- 1 kitchen torch
- Safety equipment: 1 fire extinguisher, 1 pair safety goggles, 1 pair of protective gloves, 1 protective apron.
Warning!
These risks exist:- Something may catch fire.
- Someone may burn themselves.
- Injury due to a cracked test tube.
- Injury due to something flying out of the test tube.
- Inhalation, skin contact, eye contact or ingestion of potassium chlorate.
- Inhalation of chlorine gas.
- Do the demonstration in the company of an adult with experience of fire.
- Have a bucket of water ready.
- Have a fire extinguisher ready.
- Wear safety goggles, protective gloves and protective apron.
- Keep a distance from the test tube. Point it away from you.
- Make sure that no contaminants end up in the container with potassium chlorate, as it may then start to burn.
- Do the demonstration outdoors or in a fume hood.
- Make sure that all potassium chlorate melts (solid pieces can come flying otherwise).
- Do not touch the test tube until it has cooled down.
- Practice what to do if something catches fire or if someone burn themselves.
- Practice what to do if someone is injured by potassium chlorate:
- Inhalation: Breathe a lot of fresh air.
- Skin contact: Take off contaminated clothes and shoes. Wash off skin with plenty of water and soap. Get medical attention if necessary.
- Eye contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of water, also under the eyelids, for at least 15 minutes. Get medical attention if necessary.
- Ingestion: Get medical attention.
Environment!
If you use the quantities specified in the instructions, only harmless potassium chloride and ash of the gummy bear should remain in the test tube (however, the test tube is ruined by the experiment). Some claim that you can throw the test tube directly in the recycling bin for glass, possibly after scraping out the contents and pouring it into the sink. However, it is likely that there is at least some potassium chlorate left and perhaps something else that is classified as hazardous waste. Therefore, be sure to take care of the test tube and its content according to the rules in your community.Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Explanation
When potassium chlorate is heated, it melts. It has a melting point of 356 °C (673 °F). At the same time it partially begins to decompose into potassium chloride and oxygen. When the gummy bear comes in contact with the oxygen, it self-ignites and a normal combustion reaction of the sugar (sucrose) takes place. More heat is generated, which increases the decomposition of potassium chlorate into oxygen, which in turn maintains combustion. Here is the chemical equation for what happens: 2 KClO3 → KCl + 3O2 C12H22O11 + 12 O2 → 12 CO2 + 11 H2O Traces of gaseous chlorine (Cl2) also forms. The combustion of sucrose is exothermic, which means that energy is released. It's the sugar in the gummy bear that contains all this energy. When this energy is in the gummy bear, it's in the form of chemical energy. When the gummy bear burns, the chemical energy is released and becomes three forms of energy: radiant energy (light), thermal energy (heat) and sound energy (sound). It is unusual for so much sound to be produced during combustion. In order for something to burn, three things are needed: a fuel, oxygen and heat. This demonstration doesn't require much heat, which is interesting. This is due to the fact that there's such a high concentration of oxygen in the test tube.Experiment
You can turn this demonstration into an experiment. This will make it a better science project. To do that, try answering one of the following questions. The answer to the question will be your hypothesis. Then test the hypothesis by doing the experiment.- What happens if the amount of potassium chlorate and gummy bears doubles, i.e. 10 g of potassium chlorate and two gummy bears.
- How can you make a gummy bear burn without potassium chlorate?
- What happens if you add the gummy bear before melting the potassium chlorate?
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© The Experiment Archive. Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults. In biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy, technology, fire, air and water. To do in preschool, school, after school and at home. Also science fair projects and a teacher's guide.
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© The Experiment Archive. Fun and easy science experiments for kids and adults. In biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, astronomy, technology, fire, air and water. To do in preschool, school, after school and at home. Also science fair projects and a teacher's guide.
To the top
