Quote:
Originally Posted by TrevorW
I used to mix condies crystals and glycerene as a kid. Made nitro and gunpowder, flash powder etc all the chemicals could be purchased over the counter even done the old acetylene trick as well
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Trevor, I used to do one with acetylene in a volumetric flask. Basically fill it up and set it on fire
. It burns down very slowly but one day I had a mishap and the bloody thing turned into ramjet then exploded. Lucky I had the protective shield over the top or all hell would have broken lose (pyrex shards cut deep). We also do a similar thing with H2 gas in a milo tin with a hole in the top. This one is a little unpredictable (run away
). Touch powder, solid rocket fuels, smoke bombs etc are lots of fun as well.
Jen I don't know how I would have delt with all of your assignments and tests written in purple and there are no extra marks for emoticons
. Crikey I have just finished marking 70 odd exams and my eyes are dead.
Simon, I love science especially chemistry and that does rub off on the kids ( I am extremely enthusiastic). Since I have been at my school, the number of students taking chemistry and physics has doubled which is bucking the national trend for these subjects. This year we enrolled 50 students in year 11 chem (25% of the year group) and I have another 25 in my year 12 class. If you have a passion for what you teach the kids can see it and want to become involved. I get such a buzz watching their minds develop as well as their desire to learn more and we do have a lot of fun along the way.
Mark