This demonstration is for educational purposes only. Do not try this at home.
Methane is one of only 13 gases that are lighter than air. Pump a little methane into soapy water, add a little fire and watch it do its dance.
With the help of a very nervous Kirk Montgomery, we demonstrated how methane bubbles grow in a tower that sways like a snake. Lighting the methane turns the tower into fire bubbles and demonstrates that methane is flammable. This demonstration is used to teach fire safety in firefighter training, because it shows the movement of flammable gases.
Do not try this experiment at home. This experiment is done by firefighters to demonstrate the movement of flammable gases that are lighter than air.
There are 13 gases that are lighter than air and rise. The rest of the gases sit low or fall. Methane gas rises and is sometimes present during a fire. The Methane Mamba demonstrates the density of a gas, which is lighter than air. Filling soapy bubbles with methane gas will cause them to rise in a column and float.
On this experiment, Becky was given special instructions to wear fire retardant clothes and go light on the hair spray. The experiment is also a demonstration in how water can protect from burns. Becky placed her hands in soapy water before helping me with the demonstration. The water evaporated first, protecting Becky’s hands from the flames.
