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Subject:
Re: Colored fire from a hydrogen balloon
From:
Charles Carlson <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informal Science Education Network <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 7 Jul 2011 20:29:48 -0700
Content-Type:
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ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

I agree with Carl.  It's likely to be more of a concern to presenters than observers.  Earl makes some useful suggestions.
C
On Jul 7, 2011, at 4:15 PM, Carl Nelson wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Isabel,
> 
> I can say from experience that adding just a green pea-sized amount of
> Copper (II) Chloride Hydrate to a hydrogen balloon will indeed create a very
> brightly colored green ball of flame when the balloon is ignited. It also
> creates a spray or mist of un-combusted Copper (II) Chloride solid.
> 
> I guess the real question would be what are the health effects on the
> presenter doing this? If you're doing it once for a special program, it's
> probably not a big deal. If it's a regular demonstration I wonder about the
> health effects of the inevitable inhaling the copper salt "mist" that is
> generated by the balloon.
> 
> Anyone have thoughts on the long term effects or health concerns about this
> kind of demo?
> 
> Carl
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jul 7, 2011 at 6:40 PM, Isabel Van Dyke <[log in to unmask]>wrote:
> 
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>> institutions.
>> 
>> *****************************************************************************
>> 
>> Hello all,
>> 
>> I'm doing a magic-themed live science show and I want to make blue- or
>> green-tinted fire for "dragon's flame." I'm planning to use cupric chloride
>> or cupric sulfate. I have those two chemicals in solid form, but the MSDS
>> informs me that neither one is flammable as a solid. Thus I need to get
>> them
>> in solution, probably in alcohol (though maybe water would work?).
>> 
>> The tricky bit is that rather than sprinkling the copper on an open flame,
>> I
>> want to use it with a hydrogen balloon. I've exploded lots of those, so in
>> and of themselves they aren't a problem, but I'm a bit wary of adding
>> alcohol to the Hindenburg.
>> 
>> Can anyone out there let me know the proportion of cupric chloride and/or
>> cupric sulfate to alcohol (isopropyl? ethyl?), and any safety tips? I've
>> seen this done before, so I know it's possible!
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Isabel
>> --
>> Isabel Van Dyke
>> Science Activities Coordinator
>> ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum
>> Ashland, OR
>> [log in to unmask]
>> 541 482 6767, ext. 218
>> 
>> ***********************************************************************
>> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the
>> Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>> 
>> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
>> www.exhibitfiles.org.
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> *Carl Nelson*
> Chief Scientist & Exhibits Director
> Imagination Station
> imaginationstationtoledo.org<http://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/content/imagine-it/>
> 419-244-2674 ext 126
> 
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
> 
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
> 
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Charles Carlson
Senior Scientist
exploratorium
3601 Lyon St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
[log in to unmask]
Tel:   415-561-0319
Fax:  415-561-0370

Skype: sciskypecharlie
MobileMe: [log in to unmask]
Twitter: charliec53
http://blogs.exploratorium.edu/whyintercept/













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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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