«The Wondrous World of Chemistry through Impressive Burnings and Explosions»
The burnings and all kinds of explosions that occur in explosive devices of low power, make a powerful noise which always impresses us, though it can scare us a little. They are usually used in celebrations and festivals and are: barrels, or otherwise crackers, or mini-dynamites, or “bobakia”, or “strakastroukes” as well as any kind of firework in the shape of a small rocket, known as mini-rocket… Of course, we all know that a chemical reaction is what causes them, which so well known and accessible, that we may never have wondered what it is.
In the old days, it used to happen,… when the molecules of a substance reacted with the molecules of atmospheric oxygen, to release heat and light.
Today, however, it is accepted that, in addition to oxygen, other chemicals can cause them. And of course we are talking about the impressive phenomenon of combustion. But what really is it?
Any chemical reaction that takes place at high speed is accompanied by the release of heat and light, resulting sometimes in the appearance of flame and sometimes of the appearance of radiance.
Through impressive demonstration experiments we will answer common questions or queries, such as:
- What is burning?
- When do we say a burning is perfect and when imperfect?
- Fuels and exhaust gases are the same or not: And what is the difference?
- How is combustion different from explosion?
- How important are they for the energy needs of humanity and what are the environmental consequences of the reckless use of fossil fuels?
Indicative experiments that will be presented are:
- One… Genie in the bottle.. impressive oxygen preparation
- “Transforming the genie in the bottle into … elephant’s toothpaste”
- Fill a bottle with …. “The life-giving gas”.
- Discovering the presence of oxygen by burning wooden spike.
- A dish wire is engulfed in flames… bright burning of steel-hair … rusting metals;
- «… And there was Light” – Bright burning of magnesium
- Wipe out a piece of charcoal… burning coal…
- Burning sulfur.
- Alcohol rocket.
- The gas that roars…
- Hydrogen bubble combustion, Hydrogen foam, “Noisy gas”
- Cannon of astyline.
- Gummy Bear jellies… dancing. (Burn a candy without matches)
- Burning gunpowder … from gunpowder to “straka strukes”…
- The bottle that … Melts. Burning Sugar… without fire.
- “Flaming balls”, self-ignition of ozone.
- Underwater fireworks. ( Burning without oxygen… Supergolic fuels).
- Impressive metal burning with … water
- The water pistol that lights fires.
- The black sugary snake
- “Ignition of a mixture of thermite”
- Light a match with water vapor.
- Solid alcohol
A few words about Science is Fun…
“Science is Fun”presents the natural sciences through a series of attractive and impressive experiments. Using as a tool the representation, interpretation and analysis of simple natural phenomena, we aim to attract the love, interest, curiosity and critical ability of children for the world of natural sciences. And it does this as it is based on: research, observation and experiment.
Children always ask how and why. And there is no better and more fun way to approach and understand science than demonstration experiments!
Dimitris Koniditsiotisis the initiator and founder of Science is Fun(2010), a way of communicating Science, aiming at:
• To highlight the relationship of Natural Sciences with our daily life,
• To introduce students and the general public to the beauty and imagination of scientific thought,
• To stimulate their interest in science, technology and innovation.
• To attract young people to natural sciences through different teaching methods,
• To prove that some amazing scientific experiments can – through experiential learning – be done with simple everyday materials that are around us.
How:
• Using the world of everyday life as an object and tool of teaching,
• By participating in science events and festivals,
• By designing and presenting educational programs – in a simple and understandable way – which are addressed mainly to students and teachers of secondary education, but also to the wider public.
He is a member and scientific associate of the Association of Greek Physicists. He participates in the science communication team of Science Reactors and at the same time collaborates with educational institutions that promote Science in an experiential and recreational way.
Since May 2015 he has been working with the Association of Greek Physicists developing his own SCIENCE IS FUN program, an original educational action that presents the natural sciences through a series of attractive scientific experiments to students of all levels.
For example, within the framework of this program he presented the educational actions "AERAS ... A vast gas ocean... although invisible... sends his own messages" and "We see the light with ... other eyes" to elementary and high school students in 80 primary and secondary schools, with great success.