Editing Screaming jelly babies

{{Short description|Classical chemical demonstration}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
[[File:Screaming gummy bear (chlorate) abridged.ogg|thumb|thumbtime=|upright=1.2|Growling Gummy Bears video]]
"'''Screaming Jelly Babies'''" ([[British English]]), also known as "'''Growling Gummy Bears'''" ([[American english|American]] and [[Canadian English]]), is a classroom [[chemistry]] demonstration in which a piece of candy bursts loudly into flame when dropped into [[potassium chlorate]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Growling Gummy Bears|url=https://secure.chem.byu.edu/lectureprep/node/491|work=BYU Lecture Prep|publisher=Brigham Young University|date=22 March 2014|access-date=22 March 2014|archive-date=19 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019013117/https://secure.chem.byu.edu/lectureprep/node/491|url-status=dead}}</ref> The experiment is practiced in schools around the world and is often used at [[Open house (school)|open evenings]] to show the more engaging and entertaining aspects of [[science education|science]] in [[secondary education]] settings.<ref>{{cite web|title=CHEMISTRY 11 DEMONSTRATIONS|url=http://wikieducator.org/images/b/b2/Chem_11_Demos.pdf|publisher=wikieducator.org|access-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722080118/http://wikieducator.org/images/b/b2/Chem_11_Demos.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2011|date=22 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=YouTube videos to ignite science|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7758392.stm|access-date=14 May 2013|website=bbc.co.uk|date=1 December 2008}}</ref>

The experiment shows the amount of energy there is in a piece of candy. [[jelly baby|Jelly babies]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Lubbock Christian University: Can a Gummy Bear Scream?|url=http://www.lcu.edu/about-lcu/professors-with-answers/can-a-gummy-bear-scream.html|publisher=seatfansclub.com|access-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322225147/http://www.lcu.edu/about-lcu/professors-with-answers/can-a-gummy-bear-scream.html|archive-date=22 March 2014|date=22 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> or [[gummy bear]]s<ref name=UMass>{{cite web|title=5.5 Oxidation of Sugar or Gummi Bear with Potassium Chlorate|url=http://lecturedemos.chem.umass.edu/chemReactions5_5.html|work=Chemical Reactions II: Oxidation/Reduction|publisher=University of Massachusetts Lecture Demonstrations|date=22 March 2014|access-date=22 March 2014}}</ref> are often used for theatrics. Potassium chlorate, a strong [[Oxidizing|oxidising]] agent, rapidly oxidises the [[sugar]] in the candy causing it to burst into flames. The reaction produces a "screaming" sound as rapidly expanding gases are emitted from the test tube.<ref>{{cite web|title=Screaming Jelly Baby Experiment - Student Science|url=http://www.lcu.edu/about-lcu/professors-with-answers/can-a-gummy-bear-scream.html|publisher=urn1350.net|access-date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722015333/http://www.urn1350.net/video/screaming-jelly-baby-experiment-student-science|archive-date=22 July 2012|date=16 January 2012}}</ref> The aroma of caramel is given off.<ref name="Royal Society of Chemistry-2023">{{Cite web |date=December 5, 2023 |title=The screaming jelly baby |url=https://www.rsc.org/cpd/teachers/content/filerepository/CMP/00/000/828/CF11_The%20howling%20screaming%20jelly%20baby%20SW.pdf?v=1587952835090 |access-date=December 5, 2023 |website=Royal Society of Chemistry}}</ref> Other [[carbohydrate]] or [[hydrocarbon]] containing substances can be dropped into test tubes of molten chlorate to produce similar results.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jelly Babies|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIr4dLGwaVs|website=youtube.com|date=24 January 2012|accessdate=18 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The University of Nottingham's Periodic Table of Videos|url=https://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos|website=youtube.com|date=18 November 2020|accessdate=18 November 2020}}</ref>

==Net reaction==

4 KClO<sub>3 (s)</sub> + C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>22</sub>O<sub>11 (s)</sub> + 6 O<sub>2</sub> <sub>(g)</sub> → 4 KCl + 12 CO<sub>2 (g)</sub> + 11 H<sub>2</sub>O <sub>(g)</sub>

[[File:Net_Reaction_of_Oxidation_of_Sucrose_and_Potassium_Chlorate.png|alt=Net Reaction of Oxidation of Sucrose and Potassium Chlorate|790x790px]]

== Mechanism ==
The solid [[potassium chlorate]] is melted into a liquid.

KClO<sub>3 (s)</sub> + energy → K<sup>+</sup>ClO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> <sub>(l)</sub>

The liquid [[potassium chlorate]] decomposes into [[potassium perchlorate]] and [[potassium chloride]].

4 KClO<sub>3</sub> → KCl + 3 KClO<sub>4</sub>

The [[potassium perchlorate]] decomposes into [[potassium chloride]] and [[oxygen]].

KClO<sub>4</sub> → KCl + 2 O<sub>2</sub>

The [[sugar]] in the candy reacts with [[oxygen]], forming [[water]] and [[carbon dioxide]]. The reaction is [[Exothermic reaction|exothermic]] and produces heat, smoke, and fire.

C<sub>12</sub>H<sub>22</sub>O<sub>11 (s)</sub> + 12 O<sub>2 (g)</sub> → 12 CO<sub>2 (g)</sub> + 11 H<sub>2</sub>O <sub>(g)</sub> + energy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-25 |title=Sharing chemistry with the community: "The Exploding Gummy Bear" |url=https://uwaterloo.ca/chem13-news-magazine/february-2014/activities/sharing-chemistry-community-exploding-gummy-bear |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=Chem 13 News Magazine |language=en}}</ref>

== Safety measures ==
[[File:Jelly babies.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jelly baby|Jelly Babies]]]]
Care should be taken in performing this experiment, which should only be attempted by a professional. [[Potassium chlorate]] is a strong [[Oxidizing agent|oxidizer]] and can cause fire or explosions. It is toxic by inhalation or ingestion and is hazardous to aquatic environments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2023 |title=Potassium Chlorate Safety Data Sheet |url=https://beta-static.fishersci.com/content/dam/fishersci/en_US/documents/programs/education/regulatory-documents/sds/chemicals/chemicals-p/S25482.pdf |access-date=December 6, 2023 |website=Fisher Scientific}}</ref> Reagent grade [[potassium chlorate]] should be used. Upon completion of the demonstration, all chemicals should be disposed of in designated chemical waste containers to prevent harm to people or the environment.<ref name="Royal Society of Chemistry-2023" />

All participants in the experiment should wear [[personal protective equipment]], including eye protection, and should stand a safe distance away from the demonstration.<ref name="Education in Chemistry-2021" /> A [[Face shield|face-shield]] and heat resistant gloves should be worn by the person adding the jelly baby to the molten [[potassium chlorate]].<ref name="Education in Chemistry-2021">{{Cite web |date=January 2021 |title=Screaming jelly baby – technician notes |url=https://edu.rsc.org/download?ac=509818 |access-date=December 6, 2021 |website=Education in Chemistry}}</ref>

== Variations ==
Deviation from the experiment is not recommended, and has been linked with accidents.<ref name="Education in Chemistry-2021" /> Candy with low moisture content or high surface area may cause explosions.<ref name="Education in Chemistry-2021" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Isherwood|first=Richard Myers & Bob|title=World changing ideas|year=2006|publisher=Saatchi & Saatchi|location=New York|isbn=9780955304606|page=128}}
* {{cite news|first=Jade |last=Martin |title=Teachers sweeten up chemistry |date=November 2, 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Advertiser |url=http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/744550/teachers-sweeten-up-chemistry/ |access-date=May 13, 2013}}
* {{cite book|last=Maxwell|first=George|title=Chemistry Demonstrations For High-School Teachers|year=2008|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=9780955684302|pages=19&ndash;20}}
* {{Cite report |title=The howling/screaming jelly baby |url=https://edu.rsc.org/resources/the-howling/screaming-jelly-baby/750.article |publisher=[[Royal Society of Chemistry]]}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIr4dLGwaVs Jelly Babies] - From [[The University of Nottingham]]'s [https://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos Periodic Table of Videos]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Screaming Jelly Babies}}
[[Category:Chemical reactions]]
[[Category:Chemistry classroom experiments]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Gummi candies]]