‘Playing with fire’ and science

There was the distinct smell of fire in Concordia University’s science hall on Tuesday, July 29.

But the fire was well-contained. Dr. John Jurchen, an associate professor of chemistry at Concordia, was teaching children the chemistry of fire through Seward Memorial Library’s summer program.

This summer’s theme was Fizz Boom Read, which focused on science and invention.

During his demonstrations, Jurchen said he first wanted to become a professor when he was seven years old - about the same age as his audience.

“It [education] is part of our mission here at Concordia,” Jurchen said. “We love to teach and it doesn’t get better than elementary.”

Jurchen showed the children how metals, gases and liquids can burn and how air pressure can be used to blow up a balloon or crush a soda can.

With the soda cans, Jurchen boiled water inside of them, picked them up while wearing oven mitts and dropped them in cold water, where they were instantly crushed.

Jurchen said that there is less pressure inside the soda can than in the cool water, so when the two meet, the outside pressure makes the can implode.

He added this is an experiement parents can try with their children at home.

Some demonstrations flared up quickly and impressively. Some were quieter, but just as impressive - like when Jurchen created green, red and yellow flames.

In his favorite demonstration, Jurchen lit half a peanut on fire and placed it under a beaker of water. According to Jurchen, the burning peanut made the water temperature increase by 10 degrees Celsius, which is enough to burn about one calorie. Jurchen added that an adult eats about 2,600 calories a day.

“That’s an extraordinary amount of energy,” Jurchen said.

Even while dealing with all of this energy, Jurchen said it’s safe, if the proper precautions are taken.

“I burn myself more often with popcorn than with science,” Jurchen told his audience.

However, Jurchen doesn’t encourage trying most of these experiments at home.