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Demonstrate the effect of surface area on reaction rate with this fiery kit. Students observe that a pile of powder exposed to a flame hardly burns, but that the same quantity of powder dispersed in air and exposed to a flame ignites instantly. Students also observe that dispersing a particulate makes it not only flammable but potentially explosive if ignition occurs in an enclosed area. This demonstration requires approximately 20 min, and materials are sufficient for countless demonstrations.

• Demonstrate the combustibility of suspended dust particles
• Observe the effect of surface area on reaction rate
• Explain on a particulate level why atomized particles are more combustible

Bring Dragon's Breath, the Towering Inferno, and the Exploding Can to your classroom!

Introduce or review reaction rates with this exciting kit. Each of the 4 demonstrations shows the dramatic effect of surface area on reaction rate in a spectacular way. The demonstrations incrementally disperse more powder into the air and create increasingly larger flames, culminating in an exploding can.

Connect unforgettable demos with real-world chemistry

Students make predictions about what they'll see prior to observing the demonstrations then create particulate level drawings or explanations to solidify their understanding of reaction kinetics. Big Picture Questions connect the demos with real-world applications and the chemistry behind the combustion reactions.

This demonstration requires approximately 20 min of classroom time, and materials are sufficient for the demos to be performed countless times.