How do you set your hands on fire and not burn yourself? - Oliver, Kasper & Alfie From Chichester & Nicole, Anna & Tom from Brighton - Blast Science

How do you set your hands on fire and not burn yourself? - Oliver, Kasper & Alfie From Chichester & Nicole, Anna & Tom from Brighton

10/6/2014

Answered by Brad Gross

I first saw someone do this experiment at a science show at the Boston museum of science, back in the 80s when I was little. It's always been one of my favourites. Simple, effective and dangerous. This experiment should only every be tried by experts or under the supervision of experts who have experience with flammable gasses. I've done that experiment literally hundreds of times, and I still give it the respect it deserves. Play with fire, you'll get burned.

The secret lies in the fairy liquid. Enough foamy cool fairy liquid creates a viscous layer of fire resistant material on your hands. Using a flammable gas such as propane or methane to create bubbles filled with burn able gas, you can- with enough foam on your hands - pick up a handful and have someone set it alight. That was how Lydia and I did the " hands on fire " experiment.

Thanks for your question. Stay inspired.

Brad

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4/21/2019 09:12:56 pm

Playing with fire is really dangerous. I am not in favor of conducting science experiments without the supervision of adults. In my opinion, children should not be allowed to play with fire at all. Well, I do realize and understand that experiments are important to further nurture the children, but it is far too risky. Fires are really scary, they can completely consume objects in such a short amount of time. Safety should be the primary concern of both children and adults.

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Our team of Scientists...

Lydia Samuel
As Director of Blast Science and a Primary Science Teacher for more than 15 years, Lydia has answered unending questions about Science from hundreds of children for over a decade and has a wealth of Primary Science classroom experience. She has a particular passion for Wizard Science, Chocolate Science and all things Gross!

Tom Holloway
is a Primary Science Teacher and Space Enthusiast. Alongside being a full time teacher he runs Star Gazing evenings, is a Science Advisor, has established a Darwin Garden in his school in Caterham and won Primary Science Teacher of the Year in 2013/14. Watch the video here!

Steve Evans
has recently joined Blast Science as a performer after working for several years at Herstmonceux Observatory. He knows a huge amount about physics, chemistry, space and.... Star Wars! So can answer all your intergalactic questions..

Keita Lynch
has helped Sussex 'stay curious' by coordinating the Brighton Science Festival for three years. She's passionate about sharing science in simple
and engaging ways; without all the big words.
Keita's also a keen supporter of campaigns
like Let Toys Be Toys that encourage toy makers and retailers to stop limiting children's imagination by branding things for 'girls' or 'boys'. Astronaut suits and dinosaurs for all!

Dr Sarah Newnham
I am 26 and have a degree and PhD in biochemistry. I enjoy learning new things and have spent 7 years at university studying and experimenting with molecules and microorganisms. I mainly like to play with bacteria and get them to do new things and produce different chemicals. I also enjoy helping with Science projects in schools and enthusing children about my subject.

Dr Matt Edwards
Dr Matt decided to become a doctor when he ran out of his own scabs to pick. He used to work in Accident and Emergency in Brighton, pulling broken bones back into place and sewing up cuts. He now works in Brisbane, Australia as a Family doctor. This involves cutting out lots of funny lumps and sticking his fingers in every hole that people have. In his time he has been covered in every body juice you can think of, and once juggled with three hearts. Ask him anything about bodies and Gross Science.

Jonathan Brown
(Engineer at Ricardo) Had a strange fascination with all things mechanical from an early age and would often spend time 'fixing' his Dad's car without telling his Dad first. Rarely did it end happily, so of course he decided to continue this into a career than now spans almost 2 decades of designing engines for big names the world over. Having studied Mechanical Engineering at university he has been working since at a world leading technology consultancy, principally creating models and simulations of engines big and small for everyone from McLaren to Volvo. These days you're as likely to find him on a ship or looking at a tidal turbine, but it's still engines that keep him running.

Ivan Teage
Ivan is a experienced all-round scientist. He studied astrophysics after a childhood of being obsessed with going to the moon, and now works at the Natural History Museum in London using technology to explain Science to young and old audiences. Ivan is interested in the science of music and is keen to help people understand the natural world, how it works, and what it has to offer. He is looking forward to your questions about nature, space, music, sound & the meaning of life.

Alex Nicholls
With A-levels in Pure Maths, Applied Maths, Physics and Chemistry he went to Uni to read Nuclear Physics, but in the end switched to Law. He nevertheless retained a great interest in Science and has an encyclopedic general knowledge about nearly everything. Alex is also the linchpin of the Blast Science props dept but helps out answering complicated questions about Science for light relief from complicated carpentry.

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