Street Science Season 1 Episode 9 Fistful of Flames

In Street Science season 1 episode 9, titled "Fistful of Flames," the team is exploring the topic of combustion reactions. The episode begins with the host, Kevin Delaney, introducing the concept of combustion and how it can be harnessed to power engines, create explosions, and even propel rockets into space.

To demonstrate the power of combustion, Kevin teams up with a professional stuntman, who is going to attempt to jump over a line of flaming barrels on a motorcycle. The team sets up a row of metal barrels, fills them with gasoline, and sets them on fire. The stuntman revs up his bike and takes off, launching himself over the flaming barrels and landing safely on the other side.

Next, Kevin and his team delve deeper into the science of combustion. They set up a series of experiments to demonstrate how different materials can ignite and burn, including alcohol, sugar, and gunpowder. They also show how changing the concentration of oxygen in a container can affect the way a material burns.

One of the most fascinating experiments in the episode involves a "flame tornado." The team builds a large metal cylinder and fills it with propane. They then ignite the propane, creating a column of flame that begins to swirl around inside the cylinder, forming a tornado-like shape. Kevin explains how this works by showing how hot air rises, and cooler air rushes in to take its place, creating a circulating pattern.

The episode also features two other main experiments. In one, they create a "fire vortex cannon," which uses a combination of propane and air to create a powerful burst of flame that can shoot across a room. In another, they create a miniature "rocket engine" using a mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate, which is burned to produce a thrust that propels a small cart down a track.

Throughout the episode, Kevin and his team explain the science behind each experiment, breaking down the complex chemical reactions that are taking place. They also provide a historical context for combustion, tracing its use back to the earliest humans who discovered how to make fire and control it.

Ultimately, the episode is a fascinating exploration of one of the most powerful forces in nature. The team shows how the principles of combustion can be harnessed to create everything from rocket engines to fireworks, and how understanding the science behind fire can open up a whole new world of possibilities. With its thrilling experiments and engaging hosts, "Fistful of Flames" is a must-see episode for anyone interested in the science of combustion.