Discrepant Event: Flaming Snowball
Gabrielle Alberni
Lynn Peters
Description: We will be mixing a solution containing Calcium Acetate dissolved in
water with a liquid solution of 95% Ethanol then observing what is produced.
Curriculum:
 Senior 1:
S1-2-11
S1-2-12
S1-2-13
S1-2-14
Properties of Substances
Physical versus chemical changes
Determine the indicators of chemical changes
Combustion

Senior 2:
S2-2-05
S2-2-06
S2-2-07
Conservation of Mass
Balancing equations
Classify chemical reactions

Senior 3:
C11-3
C11-4
Chemical Reactions
Solutions: Polar vs. Non-Polar
Materials:
 2 * 500 ml beaker
 300 ml beaker
 Calcium Acetate
 95% Ethanol
 Sink (nearby)
 Water
 Two metal bins (1 empty, 1 with water)
 Fire Extinguisher
 Paper Towel
 Matches
 Marshmallows and roasting sticks
Procedure:
 First, we will prepare two solutions in separate beakers. Solution A will contain
50ml of water and 6g of Calcium Acetate. Mix the two until most of the Calcium
Acetate is dissolved in the water and the solution looks clear. Solution B is 150ml
of 95% Ethanol in a 500ml beaker.
 Now we will ask the class if they can predict what will happen when we mix the
two solutions. Students can talk amongst each other and write down their
prediction.
 Pour solution A into solution B and observe. Immediately, we will see that a gel
has formed inside the beaker
 The next step should be performed near a sink. We will remove the material from
the beaker then shape into a ball. This will be done over a sink to catch the excess
ethanol.
 After handling the “snowball” wash hands well, then make sure they are dried as
well.






Student volunteers can touch the “snowball” to feel the texture and temperature of
it.
Place the ball in an empty metal bin, or something that is safe and not flammable,
and then light it with a match. Having the classroom lights out will be the best
way to see the flame.
The first demonstration will be to pick up the flaming ball and explain how it
feels. Make sure you dip your hands in the tub of water first so it doesn’t burn
hands.
Student volunteers will be asked to handle the burning ball and explain how it
feels in terms of temperature. Ethanol burns at a lower temperature than other
substances which allows for it to be held while burning.
The second demonstration is to roast a marshmallow using the flaming ball. This
will show the whole class that the “flaming snowball” is giving off heat.
At the end of the presentation, the flame will be extinguished by covering it with a
clean dry beaker.
Principles:
A physical change occurs when liquid ethanol is poured into the clear saturated calcium
acetate solution. This forms a solid gel. This gel is similar to “Sterno”, a gel which is
used as fuel in portable cooking stoves.
The calcium acetate molecules are polar and readily dissolve in the polar water
molecules. When the saturated calcium acetate (polar) is mixed with the ethanol (nonpolar), the acetate molecules precipitate and form a gel. This gel consists of a liquid
(alcohol) dispersed throughout a solid (acetate). The “snowball” consists of calcium
hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) with ethanol (CH3CH2OH) in it. Once ignited, the ethanol reacts
with oxygen to create a flame. Note that the flame is fairly clear and thus to prove that
there is indeed a flame you could for example roast a marshmallow. If the gel were
placed into an empty tuna can, and ignited, it would produce enough heat to fry anything
for a period of about 22 minutes.
Gel formation:

+
Liquid
(CH3COO)2Ca +
Calcium Acetate
Liquid
2 CH3CH2OH 
Ethanol
Liquid (top layer) + Solid (bottom layer)
2 CH3COOCH2CH3 + Ca(OH)2
Ethyl Ethanoate
Calcium Hydroxide
Combustion Reaction:
2 CH3CH2OH +
Ethanol
(in the snowball)
6 O2 
+ 4 CO2 + 6 H2O
This event is likely to create disequilibrium because the gel looks like a “snowball” that
is lite on fire. This demonstration is also discrepent in the fact that when the saturated
calcium acetate solution is mixed with the ethanol it forms a gel. (liquid + liquid  solid)
Safety Concerns:
 Ethanol is very flammable so make sure there isn’t anything that can catch on fire
nearby.
 Do experiment with a partner so handling is easier, and one is always cleaning up
to keep area safe.
 Don’t breathe in the Calcium Acetate directly.
 When removing jelly substance from the beaker, do it over a sink so the excess
ethanol isn’t present in the experiment working area.
 Make sure the surface where the “snowball” will be lit is completely dry.
 Hold the flaming snowball with clean hands only and make sure there’s no
ethanol on your skin from previous steps.
 Have a metal container with water nearby to wet hands before handling the
flaming snowball.
 Be careful while handling the snowball because if dropped, it will break into
many flaming pieces.
 Distinguish the flame before it gets very hot.
References:


http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/CCA/CCA2/CCAMAIN.HTM
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Flaming-California-Snowball
Experiment: Flaming Snowball
Name: _____________________