A SCIENCE teacher used a rather macabre experiment using sweets to demonstrate an important chemical concept.
UTC Reading’s Dr Tariq Khan performed the famous ‘screaming jelly baby’ explosive experiment last week, much to the enjoyment of the school’s Year 10 students.
The explosive experiment is designed to show an extreme exothermic chemical reaction between potassium chlorate, an oxidising agent, and sugar.
The science behind it – Dr Khan dropped half a jelly baby into molten potassium chlorate causing instant oxidation of the sugar. The sweet subsequently burst into flames, producing a ‘screaming’ sound as rapidly expanding gases were emitted from the test tube.
Dr Khan said: “This experiment has many scientific ideas associated with it. For example, the production of vast amounts of water vapour rapidly suggests ‘rocket science’ – the propulsion during a rocket lift off. Would our test tube fly across the room if the clamp did not hold it firmly?
“The bright lilac light indicating the presence of potassium ions in the hot mixture – a touch of
Northern Lights?
“The extreme exothermic nature of the reaction makes it essential to keep observers at a
distance – do not try this at home.”
The demonstration saw one hundred jelly babies stuck onto sticks, suspended from stands and spun and twisted to illustrate waves in a next-door physics lesson.
The Year 10 physicists were shown how different waves can form and be manipulated by external forces.
“They say teaching is a privileged profession that can ‘switch on’ our young generation,” Dr Khan explained.
“These exciting demonstrations can still grasp the attention of even the most video gaming stimulated young minds.
“Used carefully, the production of curiosity driven scientists will continue at UTC Reading.”
