Screaming jelly babies

Screaming jelly babies is a classic chemistry demonstration which is practiced in schools all over the UK {and perhaps the rest of the world?}It is often used at open evenings to demonstrate just how much fun secondary school science can be. The following text gives an explanation of how to perform the experiment. This should only be done by an experienced chemist/chemistry teacher.

This demonstration nicely shows just how much energy there is in a "jelly baby". Potassium chlorate is a very strong oxidizing agent that oxidizes the sugar in the jelly baby all at once.

Table of contents

1 Safety
2 You will need
3 Method
4 Results

Safety

Make sure test tube is squeaky clean. Any trace of an oxidizable material can cause an explosion
Surround the apparatus with safety screens
Ensure the pupils / audience are seated several metres away and that they are wearing eye protection

You will need

Jelly babies
Large test tubes
Clamp Stand {retort stand}
Potassium chlorate
Tongs
Access to a fume cupboard
Bunsen burner
Safety goggles
Fire resistant surface

Method

Put 10mg potassium chlorate in large test tube .
Clamp the tube in a clamp stand at approx. 60 ° (just off the vertical) then melt the powder in a fume cupboard with a bunsen burner. Wear a full face visor.
Turn the bunsen off, then, using tongs and wearing heat resistant gloves, drop in the jelly baby.

Results

If all goes well the jelly baby will burst into flames and make a very nice screaming sound as it burns to death! A smell of 'candy floss' will also steal its way around the room.

Encyclopedia Home Page

Screaming jelly babies

Safety

You will need

Method

Results