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Writer's pictureThe Dragon Echo

Chemistry students have a blast with pumpkins



From Dragon Echo Staff Reports

Halloween isn’t the holiday that comes to mind when people think of fireworks, but nonetheless chemistry students at NHS got to experience the excitement of exploding pumpkins Thursday.

“Every year we take Halloween to show students our love and amazement of chemistry with several demonstrations, including the self-carving pumpkin, which is a reaction of calcium carbide and water,” Mrs. Amy Chism said.

Mrs. Julie Havard said, “We do it to show a highly exothermic reaction. When we put calcium carbide in the pumpkin, in a tray, and add a bit of water, it forms acetylene gas, which is highly explosive and flammable. Add a flame after the acetylene has had time to form, and you’re set.”

Pictured here is chemistry student Mason Stokes with a pumpkin he carved, and the results of the chemical reaction.



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