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screaming jelly babies

{{Short description|Classical chemical demonstration}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}

File:Screaming gummy bear (chlorate) abridged.ogg

"Screaming Jelly Babies" (British English), also known as "Growling Gummy Bears" (American and Canadian English), is a classroom chemistry demonstration in which a piece of candy bursts loudly into flame when dropped into potassium chlorate.{{cite web|title=Growling Gummy Bears|url=https://secure.chem.byu.edu/lectureprep/node/491|work=BYU Lecture Prep|publisher=Brigham Young University|date=22 March 2014|access-date=22 March 2014|archive-date=19 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019013117/https://secure.chem.byu.edu/lectureprep/node/491|url-status=dead}} The experiment is practiced in schools around the world and is often used at open evenings to show the more engaging and entertaining aspects of science in secondary education settings.{{cite web|title=CHEMISTRY 11 DEMONSTRATIONS|url=http://wikieducator.org/images/b/b2/Chem_11_Demos.pdf|publisher=wikieducator.org|access-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722080118/http://wikieducator.org/images/b/b2/Chem_11_Demos.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2011|date=22 July 2011}}{{cite news|title=YouTube videos to ignite science|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7758392.stm|access-date=14 May 2013|website=bbc.co.uk|date=1 December 2008}}

The experiment shows the amount of energy there is in a piece of candy. Jelly babies{{cite web|title=Lubbock Christian University: Can a Gummy Bear Scream?|url=http://www.lcu.edu/about-lcu/professors-with-answers/can-a-gummy-bear-scream.html|publisher=seatfansclub.com|access-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225147/http://www.lcu.edu/about-lcu/professors-with-answers/can-a-gummy-bear-scream.html|archive-date=22 March 2014|date=22 March 2014|url-status=dead}} or gummy bears{{cite web|title=5.5 Oxidation of Sugar or Gummi Bear with Potassium Chlorate|url=http://lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu/chemReactions5_5.html|work=Chemical Reactions II: Oxidation/Reduction|publisher=University of Massachusetts Lecture Demonstrations|date=22 March 2014|access-date=22 March 2014}} are often used for theatrics. Potassium chlorate, a strong oxidising agent, rapidly oxidises the sugar in the candy causing it to burst into flames. The reaction produces a "screaming" sound as rapidly expanding gases are emitted from the test tube.{{cite web|title=Screaming Jelly Baby Experiment - Student Science|url=http://www.lcu.edu/about-lcu/professors-with-answers/can-a-gummy-bear-scream.html|publisher=urn1350.net|access-date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722015333/http://www.urn1350.net/video/screaming-jelly-baby-experiment-student-science|archive-date=22 July 2012|date=16 January 2012}} The aroma of caramel is given off.{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2023 |title=The screaming jelly baby |url=https://www.rsc.org/cpd/teachers/content/filerepository/CMP/00/000/828/CF11_The%20howling%20screaming%20jelly%20baby%20SW.pdf?v=1587952835090 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=Royal Society of Chemistry}} Other carbohydrate or hydrocarbon containing substances can be dropped into test tubes of molten chlorate to produce similar results.{{cite web|title=Jelly Babies|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIr4dLGwaVs|website=youtube.com|date=24 January 2012|accessdate=18 November 2020}}{{cite web|title=The University of Nottingham's Periodic Table of Videos|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos|website=youtube.com|date=18 November 2020|accessdate=18 November 2020}}

Net reaction

4 KClO3 (s) + C12H22O11 (s) + 6 O2 (g) → 4 KCl + 12 CO2 (g) + 11 H2O (g)

File:Net_Reaction_of_Oxidation_of_Sucrose_and_Potassium_Chlorate.png

Mechanism

The solid potassium chlorate is melted into a liquid.

KClO3 (s) + energy → K+ClO3− (l)

The liquid potassium chlorate decomposes into potassium perchlorate and potassium chloride.

4 KClO3 → KCl + 3 KClO4

The potassium perchlorate decomposes into potassium chloride and oxygen.

KClO4 → KCl + 2 O2

The sugar in the candy reacts with oxygen, forming water and carbon dioxide. The reaction is exothermic and produces heat, smoke, and fire.

C12H22O11 (s) + 12 O2 (g) → 12 CO2 (g) + 11 H2O (g) + energy.{{Cite web |date=2017-08-25 |title=Sharing chemistry with the community: "The Exploding Gummy Bear" |url=https://uwaterloo.ca/chem13-news-magazine/february-2014/activities/sharing-chemistry-community-exploding-gummy-bear |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Chem 13 News Magazine |language=en}}

Safety measures

File:Jelly babies.jpg]]

Care should be taken in performing this experiment, which should only be attempted by a professional. Potassium chlorate is a strong oxidizer and can cause fire or explosions. It is toxic by inhalation or ingestion and is hazardous to aquatic environments.{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Potassium Chlorate Safety Data Sheet |url=https://beta-static.fishersci.com/content/dam/fishersci/en_US/documents/programs/education/regulatory-documents/sds/chemicals/chemicals-p/S25482.pdf |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Fisher Scientific}} Reagent grade potassium chlorate should be used. Upon completion of the demonstration, all chemicals should be disposed of in designated chemical waste containers to prevent harm to people or the environment.

All participants in the experiment should wear personal protective equipment, including eye protection, and should stand a safe distance away from the demonstration. A face-shield and heat resistant gloves should be worn by the person adding the jelly baby to the molten potassium chlorate.{{Cite web |date=January 2021 |title=Screaming jelly baby – technician notes |url=https://edu.rsc.org/download?ac=509818 |access-date=December 6, 2021 |website=Education in Chemistry}}

Variations

Deviation from the experiment is not recommended, and has been linked with accidents. Candy with low moisture content or high surface area may cause explosions.

References

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Further reading

{{Refbegin}}

  • {{cite book|last=Isherwood|first=Richard Myers & Bob|title=World changing ideas|year=2006|publisher=Saatchi & Saatchi|location=New York|isbn=9780955304606|page=128}}
  • {{cite news|first=Jade |last=Martin |title=Teachers sweeten up chemistry |date=November 2, 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Advertiser |url=http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/744550/teachers-sweeten-up-chemistry/ |access-date=May 13, 2013}}
  • {{cite book|last=Maxwell|first=George|title=Chemistry Demonstrations For High-School Teachers|year=2008|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=9780955684302|pages=19–20}}
  • {{Cite report |title=The howling/screaming jelly baby |url=https://edu.rsc.org/resources/the-howling/screaming-jelly-baby/750.article |publisher=Royal Society of Chemistry}}

{{Refend}}

External links

  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIr4dLGwaVs Jelly Babies] - From The University of Nottingham's [https://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos Periodic Table of Videos]

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Category:Chemical reactions

Category:Chemistry classroom experiments

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Gummi candies