Fire Snake Experiment! TKOR Dives Into How To Make Black Carbon Fire Snakes

Summary

In this episode of *The King of Random*, the host explores an exciting science experiment by creating 'fire snakes' using a mixture of sugar and baking soda. The experiment tests different combinations of regular and powdered sugar, along with various fuels like isopropyl alcohol and lighter fluid. While powdered sugar ignites quickly, granulated sugar ultimately produces the most impressive results. The host highlights the efficiency of isopropyl alcohol as a superior fuel choice and emphasizes safety precautions for viewers attempting this experiment at home, making it an engaging and educational experience.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The experiment focuses on creating 'fire snakes' using sugar and baking soda in a sand base.
• ⚖️ The optimal ratio for the mixture is four parts sugar to one part baking soda by weight.
• 🍬 Three sugar variations are tested: granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and blended regular sugar.
• 💨 Two types of accelerants are used: 91% isopropyl alcohol and lighter fluid.
• ⚗️ The powdered sugar mixture ignited the fastest and produced impressive results, especially with alcohol.
• ⏳ Granulated sugar took longer to ignite but created longer-lasting fire snakes.
• 🚫 Blended sugar mixed with baking soda yielded minimal results, proving ineffective for this experiment.
• 🧪 Isopropyl alcohol was found to be a superior fuel compared to lighter fluid, offering better ignition and burn quality.
• 🧑‍🔬 Safety precautions are essential, including working in a well-ventilated area and having fire safety measures in place.
• 🎉 The experiment is simple and cost-effective, making it an exciting project for at-home science enthusiasts.

Q & A

What is the main experiment being conducted in the video?

The main experiment is creating 'fire snakes' using a combination of sugar, baking soda, and different types of accelerants like isopropyl alcohol and lighter fluid.

What are the three mixtures of sugar used in the experiment?

The three mixtures are regular sugar with baking soda, powdered sugar with baking soda, and a blended mixture of regular sugar and baking soda.

What ratio of sugar to baking soda is recommended for the mixtures?

The recommended ratio is four parts sugar to one part baking soda by weight.

Which fuel was determined to be more effective for the fire snakes?

The 91% isopropyl alcohol was found to be a much better fuel than lighter fluid, as it ignited better and burned more consistently.

How did the different types of sugar affect the results of the experiment?

Powdered sugar started creating fire snakes faster than regular sugar, while granulated sugar produced longer-lasting results.

What unique characteristics did the resulting fire snakes have?

The fire snakes appeared lightweight, expanded into a foam-like structure, and were very fragile, often crumbling into dust.

What safety precautions should be taken when performing this experiment?

Safety precautions include conducting the experiment in a well-ventilated area, ensuring there are no flammable materials nearby, and having proper safety equipment ready.

What did the host think of the taste of the burnt sugar?

The host described the taste as terrible, noting it was salty burnt sugar due to the baking soda mixed in.

How did the host modify the experiment for larger results?

The host spread out multiple piles of the powdered sugar mixture across a tray of sand, aiming to create several fire snakes simultaneously.

What overall conclusion did the host reach regarding the experiment?

The host concluded that both powdered and granulated sugar could produce impressive fire snakes, with the granulated sugar providing better longevity and volume.