======Lycopodium Powder Fireball======


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**Materials: **{{$demo.materials_description}}\\
**Difficulty: **{{$demo.difficulty_description}}\\
**Safety: **{{$demo.safety_description}}\\
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**Alternative titles:** Dust Explosion Demonstration
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
Part A. Slow combustion  
  - Place a small pile of lycopodium powder on a ceramic mat.  
  - Ignite it carefully with a propane torch or lighter.  
  - Observe that the powder smolders or burns slowly with only a small flame because oxygen contact is limited.

Part B. Dust explosion (paint can setup)  
  - Prepare a paint can with a small lit candle inside, positioned opposite a funnel connected to tubing and a squeeze bulb.  
  - Fill the funnel halfway with lycopodium powder and secure the lid of the can.  
  - Step back and squeeze the bulb firmly (or in quick bursts) to disperse powder into the flame.  
  - Watch as the powder cloud ignites, producing a fireball and often lifting or blowing off the lid.

Alternate method (fireball through funnel)  
  - Scoop two spoonfuls of powder into a funnel attached to tubing with a mouthpiece.  
  - Place a lit candle on a support such as an inverted beaker.  
  - Position the funnel opening just below the flame and blow powder through it to create a dramatic fireball.  
  - Caution: do not inhale powder; ensure audience is a safe distance away.

====Links==== 
EpicScience - Burning Lycopodium Powder - EpicScience: 
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Lycopodium Powder Fireball Effect - IncredibleScience: 
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📄 Lycopodium Powder Combustion: [[https://bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/u.osu.edu/dist/f/27613/files/2020/01/Lycopodium-Powder-Combustion.pdf]]\\

====Variations====
  * Use different dispersal methods (squeeze bulb vs. blowing through tubing) to compare fireball size.  
  * Compare lycopodium powder with other finely divided flammable materials such as flour or non-dairy creamer.  
  * Conduct outdoors at night for maximum visual effect.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Lycopodium dust can irritate respiratory systems; some individuals may be allergic—perform at the end of class and avoid exposing sensitive students.  
  * Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.  
  * Conduct the demonstration away from students; if indoors, ask students in the front row to move back.  
  * Do not inhale the powder while preparing or blowing through tubing.  
  * Tie back long hair and remove flammable materials from the area.  
  * Ensure the can and apparatus are stable and thoroughly tested before use.  
  * Dispose of burned powder in trash and wipe surfaces with damp paper towels to avoid airborne dust.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does a pile of lycopodium burn slowly, while dispersed powder explodes? (A pile has limited surface area in contact with oxygen; dispersal creates massive surface area and rapid combustion.)  
  * What gases are produced in the combustion of lycopodium powder? (Carbon dioxide and water vapor, along with hot combustion gases that expand rapidly.)  
  * Why do grain silos sometimes explode? (Aerosolized grain dust behaves like lycopodium powder, creating explosive conditions when dispersed in air and exposed to a spark.)  
  * How does surface area affect reaction rate? (Greater surface area allows more oxygen contact, dramatically increasing the reaction rate.)