The Spark(L)ing Vinaigrette: A Demonstration That Produces Flames

Abstract

A laboratory demonstration is described where preparation of a salad vinaigrette is mimicked when a table salt-looking substance is added to a clear vinegar-smelling liquid. Then, when adding a pepper-looking solid, the whole preparation either sparks or bursts into flames. This phenomenon takes advantage of the well-known gas reaction between ethyne and chlorine.

A Comprehensive General Chemistry Demonstration

“…In the classroom, demonstrations present valuable opportunities for students to engage with chemical concepts and develop a link between abstract concepts and concrete applications. Demonstrations not only make the material personally relevant, but also serve as a springboard for student-initiated inquiry and a method by which instructors can model complex problem solving to support students’ learning. , Therefore, it is unsurprising that this Journal contains an assortment of recently published demonstrations that can be utilized to enhance student learning about a variety of chemical principles. − …”

Perspective Article

“…[36]. After the initial impulse given by the National Microscale Chemistry Center (Merrimack College, USA) to our group of the Mexican Center for Green Chemistry and Microscale that we formed at Ibero in 1990, we have collaborated with many national and foreign institutions to impact more than 50 countries on the 5 continents [37][38][39]. Our book on Environmental Chemistry and its Handbook of Experiments have served as texts in many institutions around the world [40,41].…”