Haz Mat training demonstrations

[EMAGUY]

So... I'm wanting to bring something different to a variety of hazmat training programs I teach. I would like to help students understand some of the chemical properties, such as vapor density, specific gravity, etc. Do you have any ideas or methods I can incorporate into the training programs?

Right now, I use dry ice to demonstrate vapor density. I place the dry ice in a water filled ball. Students can see the "cloud" of carbon dioxide develop and begin to roll over the edge of the bowl. I have candles spaced around the bowl at different distances (3", 6" 12"). Students can see the cloud of carbon dioxide roll down the sides of the bowl and begin extinguishing the candles. Additionally, this demonstrates oxygen displacement.

For specific gravity, I use colored cooking oils and water. The different colored fluids have very delineated borders, helping to see how some lighter gravity materials float on water and heavier fluids sink to the bottom of the container.

Other ideas I can incorporate to help students "see" chemical properties in action?

[fire49]

YouTube .......

Also do a search for science demos


Have you done the candle vapor relight???

[EMAGUY]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll do a YouTube search and find some interesting demonstrations. I want to perform some of the demonstrations in class: however, I DON'T want to use demonstrations that are unsafe for classroom use. Videos would be a great substitution.

I'm trying to get away from a reliance on PowerPoint slides. I'm thinking the demonstrations would be a great way to move away from slides and, potentially, to involve the students with setting up or performing the demonstration.

[fire49]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc8aXvZMi5Y

Shows that vapors are burning , not the solid wax


Use a heater to demonstrate the different methods of conductivity

Use a solid piece of metal heat one end and have thermometer on other end showing heat transfer

[EMAGUY]

Good idea for demonstrating heat tranfer. Thanks!