Highly Combustible Foam
| Polish version is here |
Simple Yet Spectacular!
This experiment is incredibly simple yet delivers an astonishing visual effect. Who would have thought that foam could burn so brilliantly? The sight of burning foam captivates onlookers, fueling their curiosity.
Enough Talk — Let's Get to Work
Here’s what we need:
- butane or a propane-butane mixture,
- a detergent—dishwashing liquid works best,
- water
The only component that might be somewhat difficult to obtain is the propane-butane mixture. However, you can easily find it in convenience stores as lighter refill gas:
Next, attach a thin plastic tube to the valve of the gas container. Submerge the other end of the tube in a small amount of detergent solution mixed with water. As you release the gas, foam will start to form:
The foam is generated in a glass purely for visual effect.
Warning: Exercise caution when handling flammable gas. There must be no open flames nearby! The author assumes no responsibility for any damage or injuries that may occur. Perform this experiment at your own risk.
Once you have generated a sufficient amount of foam, you can carefully ignite it.
The foam burns with a bright flame because it contains a flammable gas mixture. This combination of hydrocarbons combusts in the presence of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water.
Enjoy! :)
Futher readings:
- Bikerman J.J., Formation and Structure, Springer-Verlag, Nowy Jork, 1973
- Qi D., Bian Y., Ma Z., Zhang C., Liu S., Combustion and exhaust emission characteristics of a compression ignition engine using liquefied petroleum gas–fuel-oil blended fuel, Energy Conversion and Management, 2007, 48(2), pp. 500
- Wilson A.J., Principles of Foam Formation and Stability, Springer-Verlag, Nowy Jork, 1989
Marek Ples