Let the sparks fly on Valentine’s Day

A perfect spark for Valentine’s Day was taken by Robbie Commisso. Robbie is a chemistry student in Josephine Parlagreco’s class at Mepham High School, Bellmore, New York. The classic smashing rusty iron balls demo is a thermite reaction. All you need is two rusty iron balls, with one covered in aluminum foil. Science Teachers’ Association of Ontario (STAO) has posted helpful rusty balls demo notes. For example, safety goggles are recommended as sparks can shoot metres away. The notes also review the reaction and how to “treat” the balls to ensure they remain rusty and ready to go.