Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Toys

Morgan - 28-4-2013 at 09:24

I don't know why they don't do jam jars in chemisty demonstrations that often. You see barking tubes, hydrogen balloons, etc, but hardly any bother with "jam jars". They are simple yet entertaining.
Jam Jar Pinwheel with Platinum Ignition
http://youtu.be/gJuT5QtU54Q

Eddygp - 28-4-2013 at 11:00

Wow! I do not know this reaction. I find it quite spectacular, no idea why it isn't as well-known as elephant toothpaste and barking tubes... What is it exactly, what and how does it react?

chemcam - 28-4-2013 at 11:05

It is an incredibly easy device to make, all it is a mason jar with a diffuser suspended in the middle, right under the nozzle which is only hole cut into the lid. You can use methanol as the fuel, just vaporize a little bit to get it going.

Here is a good tutorial on how to build a simple one, I have followed this procedure before so I know it works: Jam Jar Jet Tutorial