5/18/11

Four ways to make fire without matches only using chemistry!

Have you ever been stuck outside on a camping trip or elsewhere without matches when you need them? Well here are four science tips for starting a fire using only the knowledge of chemistry. To achieve the combustive reaction you should be knowledgeable in the handling and use of certain chemicals, now aren't you glad you didn't sleep during your chemistry lectures!

All jokes aside though, enjoy the cool science presentation from the people behind NurdRage. Also check out the detailed description to each reaction after the break.

via: YouTube



First, a small mount of potassium permanganate is mixed with glycerin. The reaction might be too slow to do anything so we added a few drops of water to get things going.

Second, a mixture of ammonium nitrate and zinc is place ontop of a paper towel. The finer the ingredients are the better this will work. To activate it a few drops of hydrochloric acid are added. (We are well aware that addition of chloride from salt or ammonium chloride will produce a water-activated mixture. But we specifically choose not to demonstrate this for safety reasons, as that particular composition can spontaneously ignite during handling causing severe injury).

Third, a piece of tissue is soaked in acetone to make it more flammable. Then a drop of sulfuric acid is drawn into a pipette and the pipette is dipped in potassium permanganate to pick up some crystals. Then the sulfuric acid is squeezed out causing it to mix with permanganate and form manganese heptoxide that instantly sets the tissue on fire.

Fourth, sodium chlorate and sugar are thoroughly mixed and placed onto a tray. To activate the mixture sulfuric acid is added until it ignites.

16 comments:

  1. very interesting, your chemistry knowledge is pretty impressive. Nice blog, keep it up

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  2. what happen with boy scouts making fire? two sticks 2gather and gogo! :)

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  3. ha I remember a couple of these from chemistry class in high school. brb burning house down

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  4. Used the first one already a few time to light wet woods for a fire, works pretty good!

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  5. But what if you have no chemicals to hand?

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  6. These would be awesome if one had the materials.

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  7. too bad I don't have these substances in my nonexistent personal laboratory.

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  8. this is so awesome! im gonna try those techniques

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  9. Thats pretty cool. Was always interested in chemistry.

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  10. Fire, every mans enjoyment and weakness. and some girls too maybe :D

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  11. Ahhhh I remember chemistry class, so fun. The last one of the video was magnificent!

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  12. Thanks for sharing that. Really interesting video enjoyed the whole thing.

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  13. Awesome video, and thanks for breaking down the steps, if I can get all these materials I'd love to try this.

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  14. And that's why science is king.

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  15. Pretty funny, I saw this during my chemistry class!

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