Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: voorheestkd on 23/05/2007 15:46:43
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I have a chemistry question, and was wondering if anyone on here could help me. Please understand, that I don't know jack about chemistry, and could use some simple guidance.
--Larry
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I am hosting a weekend camp, and one of the "oh-ah" things I want to be able to do is start our campfire from a distance away...say, 10-15 feet. I've experimented with the whole "mousetrap, string, wooden kitchen match into tinder and lighter fluid" thing, but it's only about a 50/50 success ratio. Is there a chemical combination that will start the campfire for me? Again, I can use a fish-line or something to effect a trigger, to bring 2 chemicals together. I do NOT want an explosion, I just want to generate enough heat to start the tinder at the bottom of the campfire. But I need something that will work every time. Suggestions?
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if you have access to some pure alkaline metals and some water, then you could get a fizzle going, just be sure not to use too much. Im not too sure if It will ignite nearby tinder though... imagine the reaction when you start a fire with water!
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I have a chemistry question, and was wondering if anyone on here could help me. Please understand, that I don't know jack about chemistry, and could use some simple guidance.
--Larry
There are many ways. One is KMnO4 and pure glicerine. You put one or two drops of glicerine on a small amount of permanganate powder (if you add a drop of acid is better): after some seconds, they will react and burn with a small flame.
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ok, and where do I find these things? I mean, I remember a science class in highschool where we took some pure sodium (I think), and had it react with water...but I would agree...not sure that would make a flame and ignite firewood.
Now, this idea of glycerine and permanganate powder...how much, and where would I find pure glycerine, and this KMnO4 stuff? Also, suggestions on how to introduce the glycerine to the powder from a distance of, say, 10-15 feet? I'm trying to envision this working, and starting the tinder....how long would the "small flame" burn, and is it hot enough to start wood shavings and/or dryer lint?
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If you are not sure how to use the chemicals mentioned, i would err on the side of caution and either buy some waterproof matches or a firelighting flint. they are realy cheap.
http://www.worldofcamping.co.uk/shop/Detail.asp?ProductID=1523
lighting a campfire chemically may be fun and amazing, but stick to safe and boring.
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Rub a boyscout's legs together [:D]
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ok, and where do I find these things? I mean, I remember a science class in highschool where we took some pure sodium (I think), and had it react with water...but I would agree...not sure that would make a flame and ignite firewood.
Now, this idea of glycerine and permanganate powder...how much, and where would I find pure glycerine, and this KMnO4 stuff?
Glicerine is sold in pharmacies here (Italy). KMnO4 was sold too, in the past (as antiseptic); I'm not sure if they still sell it now, but you can ask them for a few grams (maybe don't ask for glicerine and permanganate in the same store!)Also, suggestions on how to introduce the glycerine to the powder from a distance of, say, 10-15 feet?
Maybe you can wet very well with glicerine a piece of tissue or cotton wool or something alike, fix it to a long stick, and then touch the lump of powdered KMnO4 with the tissue for some seconds. Not more than a few grams of the salt and no more than some drops of glicerine.
Edit: some drops of glicerine as total amount to react with the permanganate lump, not as total amount in the tissue.I'm trying to envision this working, and starting the tinder....how long would the "small flame" burn?
It depends on the amount of the two substances. Approximately I'd say from 3 to 10 seconds. and is it hot enough to start wood shavings and/or dryer lint?
I sincerely don't know because I've never tried it, but I would bet "yes".
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thank you, all. with only a week to prep, and the only "spare time" I have being when I'm actually asleep, I think I'll putter with a mousetrap, wooden matches, dryer lint and/or cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, and a long piece of very fine fishing line, and see what kind of "ooh-ahh" effect I can generate... thank you all, again.
--Larry
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Rocketeers use a mix of hypoglopic chemicals I believe nitro tetraoxide is one but I don't know the other but I am sure some experts here do.
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Rocketeers use a mix of hypoglopic chemicals I believe nitro tetraoxide is one but I don't know the other but I am sure some experts here do.
Do you mean these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypergolic ?
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Another way (used centuries ago for the first kinds of matches) is to mix KClO3 and concentrated H2SO4.
KClO3 is very difficult to find, however.