Watch Science Fizzle, Pop, Expand, and Explode

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Watch a bunch of stuff fizzle, pop, expand, and explode all in the name of science. [WARNING: Do not perform any of these experiments without proper supervision and research.]

Check out the Pharoah's Serpent demonstration, a reaction commonly used in fireworks. Heating the mercury causes it to react with oxygen, expand and form the serpentine ash. It also releases a mercury vapor. Since the reaction does not emit sparks or explode, it is called an intumescent reaction meaning the product increases in volume due to heat exposure. [WARNING: Do not perform this experiment at home as all mercury products are toxic.]

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