How to make Fireflies

Face Of Chemistry

Ammonia oxidation. Catalyst - Chromium oxide Cr2O3. I used burning Ammonium Dichromate. When it decomposes it produces Chromium Oxide.

Photos of this project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/faceofchemistry/sets/72157624903813212/

More info:
http://www.faceofchemistry.com/experiments/how-make-fireflies

Category:

Education

Tags:

• ammonia
• NH3
• chromium oxide
• Cr2O3
• Fireflies
• chemistry experiment
• cool experiment
• chemistry demonstration
• Ammonium dichromate
• Ammonia Oxidation
• catalytic oxidation
• sparks
• бихромат аммония
• аммиак
• оксид хрома
• искры

[TroJoungJake]

Why when I tried it, it didn't work. What kind of Ammonia solution do I need to do the experiment?

[FaceOfChemistry]

@TroJoungJake Probably it's because you didn't wait enough for ammonia to vaporise. I used conc. ammonia solution ~25%

[derkozten]

Does chromium oxide catalyze some kind of reaction from ammonia? Like oxidation to N2 and water?

[FaceOfChemistry]

@derkozten

Chromium (III) oxide is a catalyst. It speeds-up the reaction between ammonia and oxigen:

4NH3 + 5O2 = 4NO + 6H2O

The heat of the oxidation reaction occurring on the surface of chromic oxide particles is sufficient to keep particles of the catalyst glowing bright red (we see sparks in jar).

[benvivitron]

where do you get the chemicals?

[FaceOfChemistry]

@benvivitron Well, chemistry is my hobby and I have chemical shop :)

[noiseboom]

That shit is toxic if you burn and breath in the smoke

[kmuzikar]

Chromium is highly toxic, you should not be working with it barehanded, outside of a ventilated chemistry hood, and you certainly shouldn't be burning it, then breathing it. Also, you need to be using a pyrex, shatter-resistant piece of laboratory glassware if you are going to be lighting sparks of *anything* especially chromium. Be smart, please. What you do on your own time is dangerous, but showing it on a video is both dangerous and irresponsible.

[Photon98]

Looks like Photoshop....

[plasticraincoat1]

EXCELLENT DEMO ! thanks :)

[katiaterarocks]

amazing

[stfuih8ulol]

that doesnt look like fireflies to me. it looks like sparks. :\

[groerl]

@TroJoungJake ammonia from yours moms pussy shoul be strong enough,..

[Phacias]

I am addicted to this video :)

[DoktorKlawonn]

Nice experiment, the music is well chosen! Did you experience any nitrous gases?