How To : Make a Fire Snake from Sugar & Baking Soda
A fire snake, also referred to as a black snake or sugar snake, is a classic science experiment you can do right in your own kitchen using a baking soda and sugar mixture and a fuel to ignite the reaction.
When the baking soda gets hot, it makes carbon dioxide gas. The pressure from this gas pushes the carbonate from the burning sugar out, producing the snake reminiscent of popular intumescent fireworks.
This food-based chemistry experiment is not to be confused with the carbon snake , which uses concentrated sulfuric acid instead of baking soda. In either case, don't eat the resulting snake, and only touch it once it has cooled completely.
To make your own fire snake at home like in the video above, you'll need 10 grams of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), 40 grams of sugar, and some type of fuel and a container to house the reaction in.
You can simply add the fuel to the mixture and light it on a smooth surface, but the reaction won't be as impressive . In this case, use a ceramic bowl packed with sand. The sand is doused with lighter fluid before putting the baking soda and sugar mixture on top.
To begin the experiment, add your sand to your bowl, then soak the sand with lighter fluid.
Mix the baking soda and sugar together, then pile it onto the soaked sand surface.
Next, just light it with a long-stick match or long-neck lighter. Keep some water nearby just in case you need to extinguish the fire.
As mentioned before, when the mixture burns, the baking soda gets hot, and it decomposes to release carbon dioxide gas. A lack of oxygen in the sugar from the combustion creates carbonate and water vapor. The pressure from the CO2 gas pushes this carbonate out to form the snake, which should continue growing for 20 minutes, give or take.
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It's fun but sometimes success sometimes fail. How should I correct it? I got spill ethanol at sugar and baking soda before burning. Or is it just because I spill ethanol on the sand surface until it is wet only? Or shouldn't I drop some ethanol when burning. Hope you can help me to solve it. Thank you.
Never EVER add flammable liquid to this experiment after the fire has been lit. People can and have been severely burned when that is done, even people standing some distance away. If you HAVE to do this demonstration, it would be best to be sure that any supply of flammable liquid is more than arms reach away, and better, in a different room, before you light the demonstration. Also, have a fire extinguisher handy.
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Geeky Steth
The mesmerizing giant carbon snake experiment: unraveling chemical reactions in 2024.
Have you ever seen a “snake” emerge from a sugar and baking soda? Welcome to the wild world of the giant carbon snake experiment! This jaw-dropping demonstration has been wowing students and science lovers for decades. A 2023 survey found that 87% of science teachers consider it one of the most engaging classroom experiments. But…
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Have you ever seen a “snake” emerge from a sugar and baking soda? Welcome to the wild world of the giant carbon snake experiment! This jaw-dropping demonstration has been wowing students and science lovers for decades. A 2023 survey found that 87% of science teachers consider it one of the most engaging classroom experiments. But what’s going on beneath the surface of this chemical reaction?
What is the Giant Carbon Snake Experiment?
The giant carbon snake experiment, also known as the “black snake” or “sugar snake” experiment, is a captivating chemical demonstration showcasing sugar’s dehydration. This reaction, catalyzed by baking soda, produces a growing, snake-like carbon foam structure.
The experiment has its roots in 19th-century chemistry demonstrations, originally using more dangerous compounds like mercury thiocyanate. Today’s version is much safer and perfect for classrooms and home science projects!
The Chemistry Behind the Magic
At its core, the giant carbon snake experiment is all about the dehydration of sugar (sucrose). Here’s what’s happening:
- Sugar (C12H22O11) is heated and begins to break down.
- Baking soda (NaHCO3) acts as a catalyst, lowering the temperature needed for the reaction.
- As the sugar decomposes, it loses water molecules (dehydration).
- The remaining carbon atoms link together, forming a black, porous structure.
- Carbon dioxide gas is produced, causing the “snake” to grow and move.
It’s like watching chemistry come alive right before your eyes!
Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting the Experiment
Ready to try it yourself? Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 tablespoons of white sugar
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- A heat-resistant container (e.g., a ceramic plate)
- A lighter or matches
- Sand or dirt (for safety)
Safety first! Always conduct this experiment in a well-ventilated area and under adult supervision.
- Mix the sugar and baking soda in your heat-resistant container.
- Form the mixture into a small mound.
- Surround the mound with a ring of sand or dirt for safety.
- Use the lighter to ignite the top of the mound.
- Step back and watch the magic happen!
Pro tip: Try powdered sugar instead of granulated for an even more impressive show. The finer particles react more quickly, creating a faster-growing snake!
The Science of Carbon Snakes: From Micro to Macro
Let’s zoom in on what’s happening at the microscopic level:
- As the sugar heats up, its molecular structure begins to break down.
- Carbon atoms, freed from their sugary bonds, start linking together in long chains.
- These chains form a porous, foam-like structure full of tiny air pockets.
- The heat causes the baking soda to decompose, releasing carbon dioxide gas.
- This gas inflates the carbon foam, causing it to grow and twist like a snake.
Under a microscope, the carbon snake looks a bit like a sponge made of charcoal. It’s similar in structure to activated carbon, used in water filters and air purifiers. Cool, right?
Educational Value and Applications
The giant carbon snake experiment is more than just a fun show – it’s a powerhouse of scientific concepts:
- Exothermic reactions (it produces heat)
- Catalysis (how baking soda speeds up the reaction)
- Gas formation and expansion
- Carbon chemistry and allotropes
Teachers love this experiment because it brings these abstract concepts to life. It’s a great way to spark interest in chemistry, especially for visual learners.
But the applications go beyond the classroom. Similar processes are used in the production of activated carbon and some types of insulation materials.
Safety Considerations and Best Practices
While this experiment is generally safe, it’s important to take some precautions:
- Always perform the experiment in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
- Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water nearby, just in case.
- Never touch the snake while it’s forming – it’s extremely hot!
- Consider using a hot plate instead of an open flame for younger students.
After the experiment, let everything cool completely before cleaning up. The carbon snake can be safely disposed of in the regular trash.
Beyond the Basic Experiment: Advanced Variations
For the budding scientists out there, here are some ways to take your carbon snake to the next level:
- Try different sugar types (brown sugar, corn syrup, etc.) and compare the results.
- Experiment with different catalysts, like sand or powdered iron.
- Measure the temperature of the reaction using an infrared thermometer.
- Calculate the volume of carbon dioxide produced by measuring the snake’s size.
You could even use this experiment as a jumping-off point for exploring topics like carbon capture or materials engineering. The possibilities are endless!
The giant carbon snake experiment is more than just a cool party trick – it’s a window into the fascinating world of chemical reactions! From the sizzling dehydration of sugar to the formation of intricate carbon structures, this demonstration never fails to captivate. Whether you’re a seasoned chemist or a curious beginner, there’s always something new to discover in the twists and turns of these carbonaceous serpents.
So why not give it a try? Who knows – you might just ignite a lifelong passion for science! Remember, in chemistry, sometimes the most eye-catching experiments reveal the deepest truths about our world. Happy experimenting!
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Carbon sugar snake
Follow FizzicsEd 150 Science Experiments:
You will need
- A wide baking tray filled with 2 kg of sand
- 1 tablespoon of bicarbonate soda
- 4 tablespoons of icing mixture (also known as powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar)
- 50 mL of ethanol, lighter fluid or methylated spirits
- A BBQ lighter
- Bowl & spoon
- Fire extinguisher, fire blanket or running water & bucket nearby.
Adult help is essential! Do not run in windy conditions!
- Instruction
Combine 4 parts icing mixture & 1 part bicarbonate soda in a bowl.
Make a small indentation in the sandpile in your baking tray (making sure the sandpile is at least 5cm deep).
Place your baking tray in a place away from any flammable materials and near your fire extinguisher, fire blanket or bucket of water.
This step is for adults!
Get an adult to pour roughly 20mL of methylated spirits, lighter fluid or ethanol into the indentation in the sand.
Once wet, add small amounts of methylated spirits around the edge of the hole as well (no more than 30mL).
Danger: do not use more than 50mL methylated spirits in total. Do not run in windy conditions!
Using the spoon, carefully add the mixture of icing mixture and bicarbonate soda to the centre of the indentation in the sand.
Firstly, ensure that your fire extinguisher, fire blanket or bucket of water is ready to go nearby.
Use the BBQ lighter to light the edge of the base of the icing mixture & bicarbonate soda pile.
Be careful – this should only be done in still conditions without any wind or drafts to blow on the flame.
Watch this under adult supervision
The flame will move over the powder pile and begin to burn the top of it. Watch the powder closely… you will see small nodules of black carbon start to form and rise off the main powder pile.
The nodules of burnt carbon will start to join and rise upwards.
A “carbon sugar snake” will begin to form as the experiment continues.
The process is slow but relentless!
The carbon snake will form a column and rise upwards until falling to the side under its own mass.
The sugar pile will continue to burn until all of the methylated spirits is used up and the outer layer of white powder is black. This process will take around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the amount of methylated spirits that you used.
Don’t touch the carbon sugar snake until the flame has gone out and you have waited at least 10 minutes for it to cool down.
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What is going on?
There are three chemical reactions going on in this science demonstration.
- When sugar burns with oxygen, it produces carbon dioxide and water. The carbon dioxide gas and the water gas is what pushes the carbon snake upwards. The combustion of sugar can be written in the following balanced chemical reaction: C 12 H 22 O 11 + 12O 2 → 12CO 2 + 11H 2 O
- Some of the sugar doesn’t completely combust into carbon dioxide & water. Instead, the heat causes the sugar to break down into our carbon and water. The carbon is the component of the snake that makes it black.The thermal decomposition of sugar can be written with the following balanced chemical reaction: C 12 H 22 O 11 → 12C + 11H 2 O
- The bicarbonate soda also decomposes in this experiment. In this case, the bicarbonate soda breaks down to form sodium carbonate, water as a gas and carbon dioxide gas. The sodium carbonate combines with the carbon in the reaction above that expands as the hot gases pass through it. The thermal decomposition of bicarbonate soda can be written in the following balanced equation: 2NaHCO 3 → Na 2 CO 3 + H 2 O + CO 2
Variables to test
More about variables here
- Try changing the ratios of the icing mixture and the bicarbonate soda. Does this make a difference?
- If there is no indentation in the sand, will the snake form?
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One thought on “ Carbon sugar snake ”
that is so so so so cool
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- Experiments
Sugar snake
Grow a black snake out of sugar!
- Sodium hydrogen carbonate
- Sugar (sucrose)
- Hexamethylene-tetramine
- Put on protective gloves and eyewear.
- Remove protective gloves before lighting the splint (step 4).
- Conduct the experiment on the plastic tray and in a well-ventilated area.
- Keep a bowl of water nearby when working with fire.
- Do not extinguish the solid fuel. Let it burn down completely.
- Do not touch the stove after the experiment. Wait until it cools down.
- Keep flammable materials and hair away from flame.
- Do not allow chemicals to come into contact with the eyes or mouth.
- Keep young children, animals and those not wearing eye protection away from the experimental area.
- Store this experimental set out of reach of children under 12 years of age.
- Clean all equipment after use.
- Make sure that all containers are fully closed and properly stored after use.
- Ensure that all empty containers are disposed of properly.
- Do not use any equipment which has not been supplied with the set or recommended in the instructions for use.
- Do not replace foodstuffs in original container. Dispose of immediately.
- In case of eye contact: Wash out eye with plenty of water, holding eye open if necessary. Seek immediate medical advice.
- If swallowed: Wash out mouth with water, drink some fresh water. Do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical advice.
- In case of inhalation: Remove person to fresh air.
- In case of skin contact and burns: Wash affected area with plenty of water for at least 10 minutes.
- In case of doubt, seek medical advice without delay. Take the chemical and its container with you.
- In case of injury always seek medical advice.
- The incorrect use of chemicals can cause injury and damage to health. Only carry out those experiments which are listed in the instructions.
- This experimental set is for use only by children over 12 years.
- Because children’s abilities vary so much, even within age groups, supervising adults should exercise discretion as to which experiments are suitable and safe for them. The instructions should enable supervisors to assess any experiment to establish its suitability for a particular child.
- The supervising adult should discuss the warnings and safety information with the child or children before commencing the experiments. Particular attention should be paid to the safe handling of acids, alkalis and flammable liquids.
- The area surrounding the experiment should be kept clear of any obstructions and away from the storage of food. It should be well lit and ventilated and close to a water supply. A solid table with a heat resistant top should be provided
- Substances in non-reclosable packaging should be used up (completely) during the course of one experiment, i.e. after opening the package.
FAQ and troubleshooting
This can happen if you cover the tablet of solid fuel with too much sugar and NaHCO 3 . Use a wooden stick to carefully brush any excess away from the sides of the tablet, then try to light the solid fuel.
This is normal. What you smell is the burning sugar and solid fuel. You can air the room out during the experiment.
Be sure to wait till everything cools down and the thermosticker turns black. Then you can clean everything up and dispose of the snake with household waste.
The “reptilian” compounds are perfectly safe, so you can dispose of them with ordinary household waste.
Step-by-step instructions
Prepare a mixture of sodium hydrogen carbonate NaHCO 3 and sucrose.
Prepare the stove.
Pour a small volume of the sucrose-NaHCO 3 mixture onto the solid fuel tablet.
Light the solid fuel and watch!
Dispose of solid waste together with household garbage.
Scientific description
When we set the solid fuel on fire, a whole range of chemical transformations takes place – culminating in a small heap of white powders turning into a huge black snake!
That’s interesting!
What is sugar and where does it come from.
The sucrose molecule is composed of two parts connected to each other by an oxygen atom (O). The two parts are glucose and fructose, which you may have heard of. Glucose and fructose are called simple sugars. Normal, household sugar is a complex sugar, which means that the sugar molecules consist of several (in this case, two) simple sugars.
The pictures below demonstrate what simple sugars look like.
Sugars are important building blocks in plants. Plants produce simple sugars from water and carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. Simple sugars can be linked together to form small molecules, such as sucrose, or to form long chains. Starch and cellulose, for instance, are polysaccharides, i.e. they are long-chain sugars made up of simple sugars. Plants use sugars as building materials and for nutrient storage.
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How to Make an Fire Carbon Snake?
Safety
- Adult supervision.
- Operate it in an open space with no flammable or explosive materials around it.
- Wear protective gloves and goggles.
- Prepare a fire extinguisher in case of fire.
Materials list
- 10g Baking soda
- 25ml 99.5% alcohol
- 50ml Beaker
Instruction
Troubleshooting
scientific description , extensions , disposal .
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Good article thanks for sharing! It very well might be because of the utilization of powdered sugar. The hole between the powdered sugar and the baking soft drink is excessively little, which isn't really great for consuming. gem sugar ought to be utilized.
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Watch this 'sugar snake' slither out of sugar and baking soda
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Summer is nearly here, so it's time to take science outside! This experiment shows the transformation when a couple household ingredients are combined and fire is introduced.
Let's make a sugar snake!
* This experiment will require an adult to handle the lighter fluid and lighter.
Items you'll need:
- Baking soda
- Powdered sugar
- Nonflammable container
- Lighter fluid
- Long-nose lighter
- Glass container
- Small plastic bag
- Safety goggles
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Fire extinguisher
- Put your safety goggles on!
- Place sand in the container in a mound-shape.
- Measure out the baking soda and powdered sugar and mix - we want a 1:4 ratio of powdered sugar to baking soda. I used 1/8 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Mix well in the plastic bag.
- Pour lighter fluid into the glass container. This step is a safety precaution to avoid having the lighter fluid container near an open flame.
- Next, pour the lighter fluid into the middle of the sand mound.
- Add the baking soda and powdered sugar to the top of the sand mound.
- Time to put on your heat-resistant gloves!
- Using the lighter, light the mound and step back to watch the sugar snake develop.
How it works:
When the baking soda gets hot, it breaks down and produces carbon dioxide. The sugar also breaks down and produces the black carbon. The carbon dioxide gas gets trapped inside air pockets of the black carbon. It’s this reaction that allows the “snake” to grow over time.
Note: My experiment did not perform as well, which could be due to the breezy winds during the time of the experiment. Check out the same experiment from the Bearded Science Guy :
Sugar Snake Experiment In this experiment sugar and baking soda decompose to create a long black carbon snake Posted by Bearded Science Guy on Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Check out these other experiments that Laura has shared:
- How to make this colorful tower of liquids
- Make a colorful flower bouquet for mom using science
- Crushed it! Watch the air mash metal in this at-home experiment
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
The solid fuel starts to burn. The mixture of sugar and baking soda in the flames will turn into a black "snake." If this experiment is done correctly, it is possible to grow a snake that is 15–50 cm long. Disposal. Dispose of solid waste together with household garbage. Scientific description How does the snake form?
Sep 9, 2015 · A fire snake, also referred to as a black snake or sugar snake, is a classic science experiment you can do right in your own kitchen using a baking soda and sugar mixture and a fuel to ignite the reaction. When the baking soda gets hot, it makes carbon dioxide gas. The pressure from this gas pushes the carbonate from the burning sugar out, producing the snake reminiscent of popular intumescent ...
Instead, some of the sugar decomposes into elemental carbon and starts forming the solid black snake-like structure. The carbon dioxide gas and water vapor push the sugar and baking soda mixture upwards. At the same time, these gases get trapped in the solid carbon, creating the lightweight foam snake that you see emerging from the sand.
Sep 21, 2024 · At its core, the giant carbon snake experiment is all about the dehydration of sugar (sucrose). Here’s what’s happening: Sugar (C12H22O11) is heated and begins to break down. Baking soda (NaHCO3) acts as a catalyst, lowering the temperature needed for the reaction. As the sugar decomposes, it loses water molecules (dehydration).
Instead, the heat causes the sugar to break down into our carbon and water. The carbon is the component of the snake that makes it black.The thermal decomposition of sugar can be written with the following balanced chemical reaction: C 12 H 22 O 11 → 12C + 11H 2 O; The bicarbonate soda also decomposes in this experiment.
Reagents and equipment: sugar; soda; urotropine; fireproof surface; lighter. Step-by-step instructions. Mix sugar and soda in a ratio of 4:1 by mass. Make a heap of urotropin with a hollow in the center.
The sucrose molecule is composed of two parts connected to each other by an oxygen atom (O). The two parts are glucose and fructose, which you may have heard of. Glucose and fructose are called simple sugars. Normal, household sugar is a complex sugar, which means that the sugar molecules consist of several (in this case, two) simple sugars.
Make a fiery black snake rise from the ground with this exciting experiment! Using simple household ingredients, learn how a burning mixture of baking soda and sugar can create a stunning carbon snake. Always be careful when conducting experiments involving fire. Be sure to only light the sand on a safe fireproof base in a well ventilated area.
The Black Fire Snake is also known as Black Snake or Sugar Snake. Make a black fire snake rise from the ground, Using simple household ingredients sugar, baking soda, and alcohol. This Fire-Snake Experiment is a good idea for the science fair project.
May 25, 2020 · In this experiment sugar and baking soda decompose to create a long black carbon snake Posted by Bearded Science Guy on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Check out these other experiments that Laura has shared: