Spontaneous Combustion II

Purpose:

This demonstration will cause sugar to burn spontaneously.

Materials:

• 6 g KCLO₃

• 2 g sugar
• 1 drop of 18M H₂SO₄
• ceramic tile

Procedure:

1. Mix KCLO₃ and sugar and place on the tile.

2. Add the H₂SO₄ and get behind the protective screen.

Discussion:

The actual chemistry is not known. Chloric acid (HCLO₃) is formed when KCLO₃ and H₂SO₄ are mixed. Chloric acid decomposes organic substances rapidly, often with flames.

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