Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Sulfur experiment ideas

beeludwig - 17-5-2019 at 03:47

Hey guys,

The previous science teacher left a giant jar of sulfur. The stuff is pretty cheap, not sure what to do with it. Any cool ideas you think my students would enjoy?

j_sum1 - 17-5-2019 at 04:56

Off the top of my head.... I am thinking high school students here.
Reaction with metals. Al, Zn powder. There are other options too.
Polysulfides. Dissolve in NaOH.
Allotropes. Make plastic sulfur.
Burn in air. Nice blue flame. Dissolve SO2 gas in water. Watch indicator change.
Make FeS. This is a classic.
Recrystallise from toluene or xylene. With temperature control you could aim for both monoclinic and rhombic crystals.
Use as a booster in a thermite reaction and get elemental Si from sand.
Make black powder.
Make sulfur monochloride S2Cl2. This can be done at small scale if you have the ability to work with Cl2.

That's a start at least.

beeludwig - 17-5-2019 at 05:18

Black powder? ROFL. When was the last time you were in a school. Ya’all going get me fired

Seriously though those are awesome suggestions

j_sum1 - 17-5-2019 at 05:34

A teacher I used to work with got students to maKe gunpowder
quite regularly.
I don't know the exact mix used and the final product was very coarse so not very potent. But, yeah: a regular thing.

Edit
I was in school today. Been teaching over 20 years. But not teaching chem at the moment.

[Edited on 17-5-2019 by j_sum1]

beeludwig - 17-5-2019 at 05:41

Sorry if that came across as dismissive. I didn’t mean to sound that way. I was just trying to imagine my AP’s face if she found out I was helping students make black powder. She would have a conniption for sure.

[Edited on 17-5-2019 by beeludwig]

j_sum1 - 17-5-2019 at 06:04

Yeah. I think it is funny too.

Video in my sig shows a variant of a polysulfide experiment. Not that dramatic but interesting and might be a seed for more ideas.

Herr Haber - 17-5-2019 at 06:16

It depends how old your students are I'd say.

You can melt sulphur and pour it in water to make beads for a collar (Mother's day anywhere?) with kids.
I wouldnt suggest making S2Cl2 with those same kids...
It depends on how you feel about H2S but you might want to pour an acid over that FeS J_sum suggests. The smell of rotten eggs is a sure way to get kids interest.

beeludwig - 17-5-2019 at 06:40

They're high school level, but I hadn't heard of the Bead thing before. I did do some research into sulfur allotropes so I did know that it could be plasticised but so that's a cool idea.

sodium_stearate - 17-5-2019 at 09:21

Mix it with some paraffin and heat it.
That gives off hydrogen sulphide gas.

We used to do that in the back of the highschool
chem. lab in winter when it was -20 F outside.

They'd throw open the windows.:D

clearly_not_atara - 17-5-2019 at 11:04

I like the silicon thermite idea. Students hear a lot about silicon but they rarely ever see a piece of it. Extracting it from sand is pretty cool. CSU Bakersfield made a write-up for classroom use:

https://www.csub.edu/chemistry/_files/Sulfur%20thermiteAO.pd...

The experiment should probably be performed by a teacher rather than the students to avoid anyone inhaling H2S.

CharlieA - 17-5-2019 at 13:03

Why is it that a chemistry teacher can't figure out what to do (safely; not too exotically) with the sulfur? (This comment is from an ex-teacher of high school/advanced placement chemistry. I don't mean to knock the original poster, but it seems to me that the inclination of people today is immediately post their question on a forum on-line, rather that to do any kind of research into their question on their own. I don't know if people today are too lazy or don't know how to research a question on their own. Ok, please forgive an old fart for this rant.:D

j_sum1 - 18-5-2019 at 04:11

I think I can probably enlighten you there, Charlie.

Most (good) science teachers are constantly on the prowl for good experiments and demonstrations. Just because you research an experiment does not mean that it trranslates well to the classroom. Some are simply too technical, do not have easily observed variables, occur too quickly or too slowly, are impractical for equipment reasons or the outcomes are too unreliable. Maybe they don't scale well. Or maybe there are other factors that mean they simply do not work well with a group of teenagers. This means that there is no substitute for sharing ideas and experiences. Add to that and beeludwig admitted that he was new to the role and was looking for ways to effectively use what had been left by his predecessor.

I think asking is probably the best place to start and is likely to lead to more creative ideas -- ones that have also been tried and tested. This is sensible.
The truth is that in education there is no shortage of resources a couple of mouse clicks away. But sifting through these for what is actually suitable or usable can be really time-consuming. There is a lot of junk out there as well.

@beeludwig: I don't have them on hand just at the moment but I have some scans of some really nice books of chemistry demos. Most are pitched at undergrad level but there are quite a few that I have used in the classroom. And all are dramatic and memorable. I will post these here at my next opportunity.

Chemi Pharma - 18-5-2019 at 05:27

I liked the idea of make Gunpowder. I did that at my school as a volcano experiment. It was awesome to everyone, even for the teacher!:P

Here's the formula:

12% sulfur powder;
13% charcoal powder (if you don't have access to the powder, ground the charcoal you're used to make barbecues);
75% sodium chlorate.

This give to you a kind of gunpowder that's safer than those made with potassium chlorate, cause is a kind of gunpowder less potent, with nice visual effects and lower explosive power.

You can also use sodium nitrate ( fertilizer sold as small granules at any flower shop in this hydrated form), or potassium nitrate (sold as a fertilizer too, in this hydrated form). The anhydrous form of potassium nitrate is often regulated by Federal Agencies, cause this give a gunpowder with even more explosive power. Nothing too difficult to be made by us, Sciencemadness guys!:D

Morgan - 18-5-2019 at 08:37

Maybe as a backgrounder introduce some sulfur fun facts about mining sulfur. I had forgotten all the interesting comments and links presented in this thread if you take the time to mine it.
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=67303

mayko - 18-5-2019 at 09:08

It's probably worth mentioning that hydrogen sulfide is a powerful and insidious poison!

Igniting a small amount of zinc + sulfur is always nice (use adequate ventilation & fire precautions). The residual zinc sulfide also has nice properties like thermochromism (turning yellow with a propane torch's heat) and phosphorescence (charge it with a blacklight and then watch it glow. If you have a fair amount in a vial, you can charge the powder on the outside, then shake or mix it for a variety of effects)

beeludwig - 18-5-2019 at 12:32

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1  
I think I can probably enlighten you there, Charlie.

Most (good) science teachers are constantly on the prowl for good experiments and demonstrations. Just because you research an experiment does not mean that it trranslates well to the classroom. Some are simply too technical, do not have easily observed variables, occur too quickly or too slowly, are impractical for equipment reasons or the outcomes are too unreliable. Maybe they don't scale well. Or maybe there are other factors that mean they simply do not work well with a group of teenagers. This means that there is no substitute for sharing ideas and experiences. Add to that and beeludwig admitted that he was new to the role and was looking for ways to effectively use what had been left by his predecessor.

I think asking is probably the best place to start and is likely to lead to more creative ideas -- ones that have also been tried and tested. This is sensible.
The truth is that in education there is no shortage of resources a couple of mouse clicks away. But sifting through these for what is actually suitable or usable can be really time-consuming. There is a lot of junk out there as well.

@beeludwig: I don't have them on hand just at the moment but I have some scans of some really nice books of chemistry demos. Most are pitched at undergrad level but there are quite a few that I have used in the classroom. And all are dramatic and memorable. I will post these here at my next opportunity.


Thanks J_sum. You said that perfectly. Charlie, I did do some research nor am I wholly ignorant of sulfur chemistry but I couldn't have said it better than J_Sum. As you well know there's a vast difference between doing a chemical reaction and translating that into a concrete learning objective. In all your years of teaching you didn't talk to peers about interesting ideas or fun projects? Welcome to the 21st century version of networking. I'm *always* looking for new and interesting ideas. And if you have something meaningful to contribute I'm excited to hear from an experienced educator.

DavidJR - 18-5-2019 at 12:54

Quote: Originally posted by mayko  
It's probably worth mentioning that hydrogen sulfide is a powerful and insidious poison!


That's true, only make very small quantities. Also, in higher concentrations it (temporarily) kills your sense of smell, so if you can still smell it, you're probably safe. If you can't smell it, it could mean that there either isn't any around or that there's a dangerous amount around.

Morgan - 18-5-2019 at 16:21

Tidbits
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur#/media/File:Io_highest_...
Mountain of sulfur
https://cen.chempics.org/post/116679929484/sulfur-mountain-c...

A collapse that killed the driver, what a way to go.
http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/techmanual/Plant_Safety/Sulphu...
http://www.sulphuric-acid.com/techmanual/Plant_Safety/Sulphu...

Flowers of sulfur
http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/sulfur-souvenir-made-by-...
Souvenirs
https://www.pomortzeff.com/photos/story/2011/sulphur/ijen_mi...
https://www.bcmtouring.com/forums/attachments/bcmt-dsc_8658-...
https://www.pomortzeff.com/photos/story/2011/sulphur/ijen_st...

[Edited on 19-5-2019 by Morgan]

fusso - 18-5-2019 at 16:54

Quote: Originally posted by Morgan  
Flowers of sulfur
http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/sulfur-souvenir-made-by-...
That. must be called a sulflower.
(There's also a compound called sulflower)

Simoski - 19-5-2019 at 10:42

Take 500mg finely ground sulfur and mix gently with 500mg finely ground potassium chlorate using the diaper method, then take your 1 gram and wrap it in tinfoil a few times. Take the kids outside and hit it with a hammer hard... Tell them to expect a loud bang before hand


8 )

[Edited on 19-5-2019 by Simoski]

phlogiston - 19-5-2019 at 15:49

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  
I liked the idea of make Gunpowder. I did that at my school as a volcano experiment. It was awesome to everyone, even for the teacher!:P

Here's the formula:

12% sulfur powder;
13% charcoal powder (if you don't have access to the powder, ground the charcoal you're used to make barbecues);
75% sodium chlorate.

This give to you a kind of gunpowder that's safer than those made with potassium chlorate, cause is a kind of gunpowder less potent, with nice visual effects and lower explosive power.

You can also use sodium nitrate ( fertilizer sold as small granules at any flower shop in this hydrated form), or potassium nitrate (sold as a fertilizer too, in this hydrated form). The anhydrous form of potassium nitrate is often regulated by Federal Agencies, cause this give a gunpowder with even more explosive power. Nothing too difficult to be made by us, Sciencemadness guys!:D


This is incorrect, and even dangerous.
- Mixtures with chlorate and sulfur are known to self-ignite during storage. Avoid them at all costs.

- Your suggestion that the mixture is a kind of less potent gunpowder that is much safer is incorrect. It is much more sensitive to friciton than the mixture with potassium nitrate, and more 'powerful'.

- sodium chlorate is extremely hygroscopic, so generally a poor choice for pyrotechnic mixtures.


[Edited on 20-5-2019 by phlogiston]

Chemi Pharma - 20-5-2019 at 08:39

Quote: Originally posted by phlogiston  
Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  
I liked the idea of make Gunpowder. I did that at my school as a volcano experiment. It was awesome to everyone, even for the teacher!:P

Here's the formula:

12% sulfur powder;
13% charcoal powder (if you don't have access to the powder, ground the charcoal you're used to make barbecues);
75% sodium chlorate.

This give to you a kind of gunpowder that's safer than those made with potassium chlorate, cause is a kind of gunpowder less potent, with nice visual effects and lower explosive power.

You can also use sodium nitrate ( fertilizer sold as small granules at any flower shop in this hydrated form), or potassium nitrate (sold as a fertilizer too, in this hydrated form). The anhydrous form of potassium nitrate is often regulated by Federal Agencies, cause this give a gunpowder with even more explosive power. Nothing too difficult to be made by us, Sciencemadness guys!:D


This is incorrect, and even dangerous.
- Mixtures with chlorate and sulfur are known to self-ignite during storage. Avoid them at all costs.

- Your suggestion that the mixture is a kind of less potent gunpowder that is much safer is incorrect. It is much more sensitive to friciton than the mixture with potassium nitrate, and more 'powerful'.

- sodium chlorate is extremely hygroscopic, so generally a poor choice for pyrotechnic mixtures.


[Edited on 20-5-2019 by phlogiston]


You're absolutely wrong!

I Challenge you to show here to us any study or research telling about "the mixture of sodium chlorate and sulfur are known to self-ignite during storage", like you've said.

I made this mixture over more than 5 years and none incident occurred. i've used it in a lot of pyrotechnical events, even in the school and outside, in artists presentations. Even storing for more than one year the powder, I hadn't any accident. The only incident that occurs were when I mixtured Ammonium nitrate to it, and it got self ignited after one month, but not before I felt a strong smell of hydrazine in the mixture, became worried and stored it away apart from other chemicals inside a safe steel cabinet alone. Cause this the fire in that ocasion were quickly controlled. It looks like ammonium nitrate reduced itself in contact with sulfur to some kind of hydrazine compound, cause I recognize that smell anywhere, and this make the mixture unstable. Because this I don't recommend make gunpowder with ammonium nitrate either.

Sodium chlorate is ever solded as NaCLO3 hydrated and this is the reason this gunpowder is less potent that were made with anhydrous potassium chlorate.

This gunpowder offers just visual effects, instead of one that were made with anhydrous potassium chlorate that's shock sensitive and very explosive. The explosive rate of any compound is measured by the quantity of air dislocated X the velocity of dislocation, while the mixture is ignited, by friction, heat or percussion. You'd better study more about explosives my friend, before criticize anyone here like me, with years of practice doing that. I recommend to you read this e-book: "EXPLOSIVES", E. de Barry Barnett, you can find it on the internet, cause I tried to upload the e-book here, but the size exceed the limit that science madness blog permits.


[Edited on 20-5-2019 by Chemi Pharma]

fusso - 20-5-2019 at 10:08

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  
The only incident that occurs were when I mixtured Ammonium nitrate to it, and it got self ignited after one month, but not before I felt a strong smell of hydrazine in the mixture, became worried and stored it away apart from other chemicals inside a safe steel cabinet alone. Cause this the fire in that ocasion were quickly controlled. It looks like ammonium nitrate reduced itself in contact with sulfur to some kind of hydrazine compound, cause I recognize that smell anywhere, and this make the mixture unstable. Because this I don't recommend make gunpowder with ammonium nitrate either.
Ammonium can react with S to make N2H4! Are there procedures about how to do this in a small scale?

phlogiston - 20-5-2019 at 12:31

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  

You're absolutely wrong!

I Challenge you to show here to us any study or research telling about "the mixture of sodium chlorate and sulfur are known to self-ignite during storage", like you've said.


That is not a challenge.

R. Lancaster, Fireworks principles and practice.
3rd edition, page 32:
"Yet, when mixed together, sulphur-potassium chlorate is unstable and is liable to ignite spontaneously or to detonate at the slightest frictional provocation."

Nearly every semi-modern book on pyrotechnics has warnings on the use of chlorate, and especially about chlorate and sulfur.

Just another one for good measure:
J.A. Conkling, Chemistry of pyrotechics, page 56
"Potassium chlorate compositions are quite prone to accidental ignition, especially if sulfur is also present."

It is good practice even not to combine mixtures with chlorate and mixtures with sulfur in one piece of fireworks where they might contact each other (e.g. burst charge and stars in a shell).

Nobody will mention sulfur + sodium chlorate, btw, because sodium chlorate hardly ever used due to its extreme hygroscopicity.
Quote:
I made this mixture over more than 5 years and none incident occurred. i've used it in a lot of pyrotechnical events, even in the school and outside, in artists presentations. Even storing for more than one year the powder, I hadn't any accident.


I hope your luck lasts.
Quote:
The only incident that occurs were when I mixtured Ammonium nitrate to it, and it got self ignited after one month, but not before I felt a strong smell of hydrazine in the mixture


Ammonium compounds + chlorate is also a well known evil combination!

Ammonium chlorate will form, which is dangerously unstable, as you found out.
What you smelled was probably ClO2, not hydrazine.
Quote:
Sodium chlorate is ever solded as NaCLO3 hydrated and this is the reason this gunpowder is less potent that were made with anhydrous potassium chlorate.


You mean wet? (I don't think it forms hydrates. I've never heard of them, and can't find anything about them.)
Sure, that will slow it down. If you use sodium chlorate, 'fortunately' it will stay wet.
The wet compositions will also erode metals, and the contamination from some metals (for instance copper) can dramatically worsen the sensitivity/spontaneous ignition problems.
Potassium chlorate-based mixtures will dry out.
Quote:
You'd better study more about explosives my friend, before criticize anyone here like me, with years of practice doing that.


If you had read as much as I have, you would not have to 'challenge' me to find references for well known facts.
Quote:
I recommend to you read this e-book: "EXPLOSIVES", E. de Barry Barnett, you can find it on the internet, cause I tried to upload the e-book here, but the size exceed the limit that science madness blog permits.


It is interesting, but outdated. It is literally about a century old, and insights on good and bad (safe/unsafe) practices have changed in the meantime. Maybe you can have it added to our library (see the link at the science madness home page

Morgan - 20-5-2019 at 14:47

I was reading this comment on this video and wondered to what degree it was applicable or something else to keep in mind aside from other variables.

(koolkitty8989)
"Not all sulfur is created equal: flowers of sulfur is sublimated which causes acid traces to be incorporated into the tiny crystals, then exposed when broken/crushed, and that acid forms traces of chloric acid, which in turn is extremely friction and impact sensitive."
"Particularly pure powdered sulfur or that which is contaminated with alkaline compounds (particularly alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfides, cabonates, oxides, hydroxides) may render it less reactive. (I /think/ most of the 90% gardening sulfur used for dusting has some calcium carbonate in it for stabilization and anti-caking, and that may reduce friction sensitivity in such mixtures ... which could be good if safety is a concern, but you very rarely mix chlorate with sulfur with that intention these days ... not with perchlorate or nitrate options)"

Potassium Chlorate with sulphur - friction detonation tests
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSJwtHRmfSQ

And from Wiki
"Flowers of sulfur were traditionally produced by subliming naturally occurring sulfur, known as sulphur vivum. Impurities and moisture could cause acid residue in the product, so it was often washed, the result being known as "washed flowers of sulfur" (in Latin, flores sulphuris loti)."

Chemi Pharma - 21-5-2019 at 01:37

Just to prove my point of view, against the fact sulfur and potassium chlorate combination don't be self-ignited expontaneously, I bring the example of the matchboxes.

The tip of Match has : potassium chlorate (an oxidant), sulfur, starch, glue and some other ingredients, like antimony pentasulfide;

The friction Surface has : red phosphorus, powdered glass, and glue.

Look at wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match

If your theory based on the Authors and books you've referenced were right about sulfur-potassium chlorate couple, I'm wondering about why matches are sold everywhere in the world with the regulating agencies approval and without self ignition incident knowed.

Comercial gunpowder used in fireworks here where I live contains sulfur, powdered charcoal and barium chlorate to green color fireworks, stroncium chlorate to red color fireworks and POTASSIUM CHLORATE to standard fireworks.

Read this part of the text that exists at wikipedia about potassium chlorate, and sodium chlorate in gunpowder manufacturing in portuguese (I'm translating to english):

https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clorato_de_pot%C3%A1ssio

"When mixed with other materials, it may form high explosives. The hygroscopic and slightly weaker sodium chlorate is sometimes used as a safer and less expensive substitute for potassium chlorate. In World War II, mixtures of potassium chlorate with plasticizers (such as waxes) were the most common type of plastic explosives used, often filling grenades and other ammunition. When used in explosives as an oxidant, the explosive is classifiable as "low" because of its characteristic of rapidly burning more than it actually explodes. When mixed with a plasticizer, it becomes a "high explosive", requiring a detonation capsule to detonate properly. Potassium chlorate is also used in some gunpowder formulas, usually replacing the less potent potassium nitrate."

Herr Haber - 21-5-2019 at 03:05

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  

You're absolutely wrong!

I Challenge you to show here to us any study or research telling about "the mixture of sodium chlorate and sulfur are known to self-ignite during storage", like you've said.

I made this mixture over more than 5 years and none incident occurred. i've used it in a lot of pyrotechnical events, even in the school and outside, in artists presentations. Even storing for more than one year the powder, I hadn't any accident. The only incident that occurs were when I mixtured Ammonium nitrate to it, and it got self ignited after one month, but not before I felt a strong smell of hydrazine in the mixture, became worried and stored it away apart from other chemicals inside a safe steel cabinet alone. Cause this the fire in that ocasion were quickly controlled. It looks like ammonium nitrate reduced itself in contact with sulfur to some kind of hydrazine compound, cause I recognize that smell anywhere, and this make the mixture unstable. Because this I don't recommend make gunpowder with ammonium nitrate either.


Oh - my - god !
ANY book on fireworks will teach you that you are wrong.
Not just a series of I, I, I, I did, I tried. Real experience over centuries, not just your lucky experience.

Sulphur and chlorates self ignite. That's a fact. Especially prone to auto-ignition if there is residual acidity in your Sulphur.
Ammonium Nitrate and a Chlorate heh ? Check Ammonium Chlorate, that's what you got. No hydrazine.

I'll skip the rest and STRONGLY recommend you get Shimizu's and Conklin's books.

Herr Haber - 21-5-2019 at 03:18

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  
Just to prove my point of view, against the fact sulfur and potassium chlorate combination don't be self-ignited expontaneously, I bring the example of the matchboxes.

The tip of Match has : potassium chlorate (an oxidant), sulfur, starch, glue and some other ingredients, like antimony pentasulfide;

The friction Surface has : red phosphorus, powdered glass, and glue.



Ever heard of strike anywhere matches ?
https://www.99boulders.com/why-ill-never-buy-strike-anywhere...

Look, forget it, you're just wrong. Only a limited number of factories in China are still using chlorates and I may be wrong but fireworks containing a chlorate and sulphur are forbidden in most countries.

Edit: and stop using the word gunpowder for mixes that arent gunpowder !

[Edited on 21-5-2019 by Herr Haber]

phlogiston - 21-5-2019 at 06:35

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  
Just to prove my point of view, against the fact sulfur and potassium chlorate combination don't be self-ignited expontaneously, I bring the example of the matchboxes.

The tip of Match has : potassium chlorate (an oxidant), sulfur, starch, glue and some other ingredients, like antimony pentasulfide;


Nice example, admiteddly, they apparently do indeed contain sulfur and chlorate.
BTW, IIRC, bans on chlorate-containing matches are being considered in the EU.

However, you oversimplify the composition with "and some other ingredients".

Those "other ingredients" make a huge difference. Wikipedia actually says:
Quote:
"the match head is typically composed of 45–55% potassium chlorate, with a little sulfur and starch, a neutralizer (ZnO or CaCO3), 20–40% of siliceous filler, diatomite, and glue.


So, there is only a little sulfur, and it contains a neutralizer.
The purpose of the neutralizer is to react with trace amounts of acid that may have been present in the sulfur, or form as a result of a reaction with air.

As Morgan noted, the trace amounts of acid that are often present in sulfur very likely play an important role here.
Using acid-free sulfur , and the addition of compounds that can neutralize residual acid will help to stabilize mixtures with chlorates and sulfur if there is no other option.
Quote:

"detonation capsule to detonate properly. Potassium chlorate is also used in some gunpowder formulas, usually replacing the less potent potassium nitrate."


That does not mean that those formulas contain sulfur.
Mixtures of just chlorates and charcoal have been called 'gunpowder' in older texts and some languages.
I don't speak Portugese, and I believe that in modern English pyrotechnic literature, the term 'gunpowder' is understood to refer to mixtures of nitrate, charcoal and (optionally) sulfur.

[Edited on 21-5-2019 by phlogiston]

Chemi Pharma - 21-5-2019 at 10:10

Quote: Originally posted by Herr Haber  
Oh - my - god !
ANY book on fireworks will teach you that you are wrong.
Not just a series of I, I, I, I did, I tried. Real experience over centuries, not just your lucky experience.

Sulphur and chlorates self ignite. That's a fact. Especially prone to auto-ignition if there is residual acidity in your Sulphur.
Ammonium Nitrate and a Chlorate heh ? Check Ammonium Chlorate, that's what you got. No hydrazine.

I'll skip the rest and STRONGLY recommend you get Shimizu's and Conklin's books.


Between your literature reviews and my 10 years of practical experience I choose the last one, thanks.:P I gave you an example of stabilized potassium chlorate mixed with sulfur in the match boxes. Good to know the matter is the acidity of the sulfur employed that must be neutralized. I didn't know about that, the same way you don't know that commercial security match boxes are made with potassium chlorate + sulfur + blah, blah, blah, not only in China, but worldwide.

Read the @phlogiston comment, after yours. I think it was very instructive and more argumentative that your comment.

And about ammonium nitrate mixed with GUNPOWDER made with sodium chlorate, sulfur and charcoal giving hydrazine, it was confirmed a lot of times by me. I know the smell of ClO2 and know better yet the smell of hydrazine, cause have done experiences with it in my Lab over and over in the last 10 years.

I don't know why you are trying to mock me. It's perfectable viable. NH4+ have the nitrogen in the state -3 and can be oxidized to state -2 as hydrazine, before be oxidated to state 0, under the form of N2, more stable. In this case the Chlorate ion will be the oxidant agent. I have no idea about the equations involved, but that mixture smells like hydrazine, after some days. I'm sure of that.

Why don't you do an controlled experience?

12% sulfur;
13% powered charcoal;
50% sodium chlorate;
25% ammonium nitrate.

Mix in small scale, put in a plastic container, not a metal one, and let rest for a week or two, before the mixture self ignited. Sometimes open the flask and sniff. If you're acquainted with hydrazine smell, you will see I'm telling the truth.

Herr Haber - 21-5-2019 at 14:59

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  


Between your literature reviews and my 10 years of practical experience I choose the last one, thanks.:P I gave you an example of stabilized potassium chlorate mixed with sulfur in the match boxes.

Read the @phlogiston comment, after yours. I think it was very instructive and more argumentative that your comment.


Ok look, I have 0 years of experience as a professional but I learned the formula of gunpowder 30 years ago. Believe me when I tell you I knew about matches. Probably as a lot of people interested in pyro the first binder I discovered was acacia gum for my home made gunpowder.

I'm sure you have thought of another use for chlorates + sulphur: smoke. Add lactose, your favourite dye a hint of CaCO3 or NaHCO3 (to neutralize acids from S) which will give additional gas to spread your smoke.
Chlorate (K) is prefered because of it's low decomposition point which means it wont need a very energetic fuel (S as a tinder lactose as a main fuel) to sustain combustion. Which means you can have a low temperature flame and vaporize your dye instead of burning it.
Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  

And about ammonium nitrate mixed with GUNPOWDER made with sodium chlorate, sulfur and charcoal giving hydrazine, it was confirmed a lot of times by me. I know the smell of ClO2 and know better yet the smell of hydrazine, cause have done experiences with it in my Lab over and over in the last 10 years.

I don't know why you are trying to mock me. It's perfectable viable. NH4+ have the nitrogen in the state -3 and can be oxidized to state -2 as hydrazine, before be oxidated to state 0, under the form of N2, more stable. In this case the Chlorate ion will be the oxidant agent. I have no idea about the equations involved, but that mixture smells like hydrazine, after some days. I'm sure of that.

Why don't you do an controlled experience?

12% sulfur;
13% powered charcoal;
50% sodium chlorate;
25% ammonium nitrate.

Mix in small scale, put in a plastic container, not a metal one, and let rest for a week or two, before the mixture self ignited. Sometimes open the flask and sniff. If you're acquainted with hydrazine smell, you will see I'm telling the truth.


I have no doubt I can make mixtures that will self ignite.
I'll stick to the tried and tested for my safety and the safety of those around me and I'd rather avoid making a composition that gives off anything more than solvent vapours too. I'd have the hairs standing on the back of my neck if anything I made smelled of something as reactive as hydrazine!
There have been a lot of substitutes for gunpowder with many names in many languages. It's confusing to use the name gunpowder for some mixtures that saw limited or little use (though ammonium nitrate was used).

Make sure you get a copy of Conking's book it's a great read really.
Now I'm going to sleep.

j_sum1 - 21-5-2019 at 17:23

Quote: Originally posted by Chemi Pharma  

Between your literature reviews and my 10 years of practical experience I choose the last one, thanks.


Concensus seems to be that you have been lucky in your experience -- maybe due to the grade of sulfur being used. I think it unwise to ignore the advice of so many seasoned members who have both citations and experience to support their claims.
Speaking as one who recently had an unexpected chlorate explosion causing injury, I can only advise caution even if your experience has been good so far.

It would be nice to return to the question of the OP now: good classroom experiments and demos to do with sulfur.

Daffodile - 22-5-2019 at 06:37

Quote: Originally posted by beeludwig  
Hey guys,

The previous science teacher left a giant jar of sulfur. The stuff is pretty cheap, not sure what to do with it. Any cool ideas you think my students would enjoy?


How giant is the jar? And is it plastic/ glass/ etc?

Daffodile - 22-5-2019 at 06:46

the reason I'm curious about the sulfur is that my previous chemistry teacher literally had a giant jar of it; a disused plastic container that used to house protein powder was now just totally filled with sulfur, the thing was the size of a large artillery casing. This was in Vancouver, BC. Is any of that familiar? I know the odds are impossibly low but a coincidence like that would be considerably funny to me.

beeludwig - 22-5-2019 at 10:25

Quote: Originally posted by Daffodile  
the reason I'm curious about the sulfur is that my previous chemistry teacher literally had a giant jar of it; a disused plastic container that used to house protein powder was now just totally filled with sulfur, the thing was the size of a large artillery casing. This was in Vancouver, BC. Is any of that familiar? I know the odds are impossibly low but a coincidence like that would be considerably funny to me.



Nah. Different guy but sounds like he had the same problem. My jar of sulfur looks relatively recent and was purchased from a chemical supply company. So far I've made some really pretty crystals with it, shown my students the blue flame, and the plastic allotrope. Next year I'd like to do more. I'm considering making fome Iron sulfide because it has some nice optical properties. Maybe I'll do a metal sulfide series. I really haven't thought too much about it. But I liked some of the ideas others have come up with. Right now I'm amusing myself by putting some in a petri dish with a *GIANT SIGN* that says do not smell. Because... you know... kids.

Herr Haber - 22-5-2019 at 11:19

If you have CS2 you might want to burn a few drops next to your burning sulphur for comparison.

Perhaps if you make sulfides you'll make some H2S. The stinking bomb thing is guaranteed to get attention! It might be nice to mention thiols and other smelly compounds in class before burning some sulphur containing material everyone knows about like... hair or feathers ? Scientifically questionable but your students will remember that sulphur = smelly compounds. It could be the right time to talk about sulphur and rubber at that point ?

You could also show on the periodic table Se, Te mention that the analog compounds are even worst smelling (dig up that story about a town being evacuated when someone made experiments with Te in Germany or people commiting suicide because no one would go near them anymore).

If your students are smart and made the link H2S --> H2Se ---> H2Te you can finish with a classical joke:
Can you now guess why ET's will never come to our planet ?
70% H2O :P

Morgan - 22-5-2019 at 18:19

Glow in the Dark Powder Materials
The recommended materials for this project are:

Oyster shells – Oyster shells may be obtained from a beach, pet store, or feed store. If you absolutely can’t find them, substitute egg shells with the inner membrane removed.
Sulfur powder – Sulfur is found in chemistry kits and online.
Heat-safe dish or borosilicate tube – I recommend using a piece of aluminum foil on a heat-safe surface.
Sifter or strainer – You can use any kind of mesh to separate large and small particles.
Mortar and pestle – Or you can use a hammer and a bag.
Butane or MAPP torch – Find this at a hardware store.

https://sciencenotes.org/make-glow-dark-powder-oyster-shells...

[Edited on 23-5-2019 by Morgan]

woelen - 22-5-2019 at 22:54

If you have some Se, besides the sulphur, you could make some SxSe8-x by heating sulphur in a test tube and then adding a tiny pinch of Se to it. The Se dissolves in the sulphur and gives a red or orasnge color to it. On cooling down you get a definitely different color and the product contains molecules Z8, with most Z-atoms being sulphur but some replaced with Se. Suplhur and selenium can form mixed 8-membered rings easily.

j_sum1 - 22-5-2019 at 22:59

Quote: Originally posted by woelen  
If you have some Se, besides the sulphur, you could make some SxSe8-x by heating sulphur in a test tube and then adding a tiny pinch of Se to it. The Se dissolves in the sulphur and gives a red or orasnge color to it. On cooling down you get a definitely different color and the product contains molecules Z8, with most Z-atoms being sulphur but some replaced with Se. Suplhur and selenium can form mixed 8-membered rings easily.

I may just have to do this. It would work well with some videos that I am planning.
Might need a bit more selenium than I have at present.

beeludwig - 23-5-2019 at 04:49

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1  
Quote: Originally posted by woelen  
If you have some Se, besides the sulphur, you could make some SxSe8-x by heating sulphur in a test tube and then adding a tiny pinch of Se to it. The Se dissolves in the sulphur and gives a red or orasnge color to it. On cooling down you get a definitely different color and the product contains molecules Z8, with most Z-atoms being sulphur but some replaced with Se. Suplhur and selenium can form mixed 8-membered rings easily.

I may just have to do this. It would work well with some videos that I am planning.
Might need a bit more selenium than I have at present.


I'm not even sure where I'd find selenium. It seems fairly fairly expensive.

j_sum1 - 23-5-2019 at 05:06

https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Grams-99-99-Pure-Selenium-Metal-...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/50-grams-1-76-oz-High-Purity-99-8-5...
http://onyxmet.com/?route=product/category&path=69_100

There ya go!

phlogiston - 23-5-2019 at 07:33

Zn+S is spectactular, and also allows you to make the point that sulfur can act as an oxidiser much like oxygen can.

beeludwig - 23-5-2019 at 08:59

Quote: Originally posted by phlogiston  
Zn+S is spectactular, and also allows you to make the point that sulfur can act as an oxidiser much like oxygen can.


I've seen the reaction on youtube. I'll have to make some zinc powder and give it a try. Time to dust off my electrochemistry

j_sum1 - 23-5-2019 at 13:52

Quote: Originally posted by beeludwig  
Quote: Originally posted by phlogiston  
Zn+S is spectactular, and also allows you to make the point that sulfur can act as an oxidiser much like oxygen can.


I've seen the reaction on youtube. I'll have to make some zinc powder and give it a try. Time to dust off my electrochemistry

Here's my version.
https://youtu.be/SYucLGUr2MQ?t=167

beeludwig - 23-5-2019 at 16:33

Just so you guys know, my wife is exceedingly pleased that the longest part of this thread involved whether or not a reaction was really safe and how to make it safe. Apparently, I’m often told, being married to a chemistry teacher is not easy.