Chemstry Class Lab Day Amazement
Grier chemistry students were in for a special treat during recent lab days when Juniata College's Science in Motion brought a special lab that allowed students the opportunity to "hold fire" in their hands and witness a rainbow of beautiful flames.
Science in Motion team members are regular visitors to Grier, dropping by for Lab Days and other special events. For this chemistry lab, Mr. Mark Van Horn's students ignited methane that had been added to soap bubbles. Teacher Christine Fernades explains that students are able to safely hold the methane bubbles without being burned because methane is less dense than air and burns upward, away from the surface of their hand.
The rainbow of flames is produced by igniting a variety of chemical salts. Fernandes explains that, "salts produce different colored flames when they are burned as they release excess energy. Copper produces a green flame, while lithium's flame is magenta. The lavender flame is produced by potassium and the yellow one is sodium."
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The rainbow of flames is produced by igniting a variety of chemical salts. Fernandes explains that, "salts produce different colored flames when they are burned as they release excess energy. Copper produces a green flame, while lithium's flame is magenta. The lavender flame is produced by potassium and the yellow one is sodium."
Learn more about our Science Department.
Follow us on Facebook.
Grier School
2522 Grier School Rd. | P.O. Box 308; Birmingham, PA 16686-0308
Phone: 814-684-3000 | Fax: 814-684-2177
Phone: 814-684-3000 | Fax: 814-684-2177
