Non-Burning Money

A dollar bill or paper soaked in a 50/50 alcohol-water solution is ignited. The alcohol burns brightly, but the bill remains unharmed because the water absorbs the heat and prevents the paper from reaching its ignition temperature.

1. Prepare a non-burning solution by mixing equal parts alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl) and water in a bottle. Add 2–3 tablespoons of table salt to make the flame more visible.
2. Set up two tubs: one filled halfway with water and the other with a thin layer of the non-burning solution.
3. Soak a dollar bill or paper in the alcohol-water solution until fully saturated.
4. Put on safety glasses.
5. Using tongs, hold the soaked bill or cloth over the tub of water.
6. Ignite it and observe as the alcohol burns with a visible flame while the bill remains intact.
7. Extinguish by dunking the bill briefly in water before handling it.
8. Ask students why the bill did not burn despite being in flames.

Burning Money - Cool Science Experiment - Spangler Science TV:

Chemistry Demonstration - How to Set a Dollar on Fire and Keep it from Burning - PBS News Hour:

📄🎞️ Non Burning Money - Michigan State University: https://pa.msu.edu/science-theatre/demos/non-burning-money.aspx

📄 Non-Burning Dollar Bill - JMU Chemistry Demonstrations: https://sites.lib.jmu.edu/chemdemos/

• Use cloth instead of a dollar bill for a larger, more visible effect.
• Compare results using different alcohol concentrations (e.g., 70% vs. 50%) to show the role of water.

• Always wear safety glasses.
• Keep the bottle of alcohol-water solution capped and well away from the flame.
• Perform in a controlled environment with no open flames nearby.
• Handle burning materials only with tongs and extinguish immediately in water.

• Why does the alcohol burn while the dollar bill stays unharmed?
• What property of water allows it to protect the bill from burning?
• How would the outcome change if only alcohol was used without water?
• What role does heat capacity play in this demonstration?
• Why is it important to mix the alcohol with water rather than use pure alcohol?