2012-08-19
[public] 60.7K views, 610 likes, 10.0 dislikes audio only
Hydrogen Balloon Explosion - part of our "Berzelius Day" uploading 24 videos in 24 hours. Full video containing this reaction at: /youtube/video/6rdmpx39PRk
NOTE FROM THE PROFESSOR: The main reaction is quite simple. 2H2 + O2 → 2H2O. However, the balloon is made from rubber, which is a complex molecule containing principally containing carbon and hydrogen. The heat of the hydrogen burning probably sets fire to the rubber generating CO2 and water. The orange colour probably comes from the burning rubber.
See our 24 reactions playlist as it unfolds at: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6E4F35510525FFF7
Berzelius Day explained: /youtube/video/wDXUDq2KLM4
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From the School of Chemistry at The University of Nottingham: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chemistry/index.aspx
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