Thanks, Rob, for the nice collection of articles and information.
If it's boric acid and alcohol, it's what we call Borate Flame (lovely green flame). Others call it flaming tornado <shiver>.
We've re-engineered the demo to use an Erlenmeyer flask and a Buechner funnel - if you want the details, let me know off-line.
<sigh> Never ending �
Debbie M. Decker, CCHO, ACS Fellow
Past Chair, Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Councilor and Programming Co-Chair
University of California, Davis
(530)754-7964
(530)304-6728
dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu
Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction
that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,
can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
On Behalf Of ILPI Support
Sent: Wednesday, May 9, 2018 3:50 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] FW: USA TODAY: Science experiment injures 18 at Tennessee school
Doctor says boric acid and alcohol: http://fox17.com/news/local/doctor-science-experiment-with-borax-alcohol-caused-hendersonville-students-injuries
Appears to be the Rainbow. Again. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2015/11/11/this-chemistry-fire-demonstration-has-repeatedly-burned-students/
Excerpt from this article: http://www.wkrn.com/top-news/merrol-hyde-magnet-school-evacuated-after-chemistry-class-fire/1169396691
They said the incident was an "accident" that caused an unintentional chemical reaction and a temporary flash fire.
Bush said the students were gathered around as the teacher did a demonstration that involved mixing chemicals.
There was a sudden flash fire lasting 3 - 5 seconds. Because there was no smoke it did not set off any fire alarms.
Bush confirmed the students have second degree burns, consistent with a flash fire caused by a chemical reaction.
Every news outlet is calling this an "experiment" and/or accident when, in fact, it is
neither.
General resources: https://www.csb.gov/csb-releases-safety-message-on-preventing-accidents-in-high-school-chemistry-labs/ and https://dchas.org/tag/rainbow-demonstration/
Rob Toreki
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