Blue Flame Thrower - Periodic Table of Videos

TL;DR

Zinc can be used to create a pocket flamethrower, producing a blue flame that was described over 100 years ago.

Transcript

yeah so this is a bit of a blast from the past so some time ago one of my colleagues made a comment about zinc being boring and I thought we'd take that comment and examine it in a little bit more detail and what I could show that was actually zinc is quite exciting because you can use it as a basis for what is basically a pocket flamethrower wolf ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💙 Zinc can be used to create a pocket flamethrower, with diethyl zinc producing a blue flame.
• 💛 Sodium contaminants can interfere with the coloration of the flame, causing it to appear yellow instead of blue.
• 💙 The blue flame is generated when diethyl zinc is exposed to air, increasing its surface area.
• 💙 Slowly releasing diethyl zinc from a syringe enhances the chances of observing the blue flame.
• ❤️‍🔥 Diethyl zinc is considered pyrophoric, meaning it can catch fire in air.
• 😤 Benjamin Franklin's original experiment with diethyl zinc likely involved a misunderstanding, as the blue flame is generated by steam, not the compound itself.
• 💦 Working with diethyl zinc requires caution due to its potential for spontaneous combustion.

Questions & Answers

Q: How is zinc used to create a pocket flamethrower?

Zinc, specifically diethyl zinc, can be ignited to produce a blue flame. By using a syringe to release the compound slowly, the blue flame is more likely to be observed.

Q: Why is the flame initially yellow instead of blue?

The yellow flame is a result of sodium contaminants in the syringe used in the experiment. These contaminants contribute to the coloration of the flame.

Q: What does the term "pyrophoric" mean in relation to diethyl zinc?

"Pyrophoric" means that diethyl zinc can spontaneously catch fire in air. This characteristic adds to the excitement and potential dangers of working with this compound.

Q: How did Benjamin Franklin's experiment with diethyl zinc differ from the current one?

Franklin's experiment involved a glass vial filled with diethyl zinc, where he observed a spontaneous blue flame. However, it is now known that the blue flame is generated when the compound comes into contact with air, creating a cloud of steam.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A colleague's comment about zinc being boring prompts an examination of its potential for creating a pocket flamethrower.

• The experiment initially produces a yellow flame instead of the expected blue flame due to sodium contaminants in the syringe.

• Using a plastic syringe and high-speed cameras, the blue flame is successfully achieved, showcasing the exciting properties of diethyl zinc.