Woosh Bottle Lesson Plan
Amount of time Demo takes: 1 min.
Try this at home!
Materials
● Large water cooler bottle
● Matches
● Graduated cylinder
● Beaker
● Isopropyl Alcohol
● Safety Glasses
● Match Holder
● Plenty of space
Set-up Instructions
1. Locate nearest fire extinguisher.
2. Lay the components out.
3. Put a fire warning sign by your demo sign.
SAFETY!
● Fire Hazard! Isopropyl alcohol is flammable, use extreme caution. If you are
splashed discontinue demo. Be careful when lighting the bottle.
● Your face or hands should never be directly over the bottle when lit!
● Use caution with participants. Be clear when it is and is not safe for them to
touch the bottle.
● Only us the match holder to ignite the bottle, keep fingers clear!
● Do not ignite directly under smoke/fire detectors.
● Do not use bottle if scoring, scorching, or cracking has occurred.
● Always use protective eyewear.
Lesson’s Big Idea
● Alcohol vapor burns creating a woosh sound
● An alcohol combustion produces heat, light, and noise
Background Information
● Isopropyl alcohol is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C3H8O or
1/3 C3H7OH. It is a colorless, flammable chemical
compound with a strong odor. It is the simplest
example of a secondary alcohol. It is a structural
isomer of propanol. Isopropyl alcohol is denatured for
certain uses, in which case the NFPA 704 rating is
changed to 2,3,1.
● Low boiling alcohols vaporize readily and when
alcohol is placed in a 5-gallon, small mouthed
carboy, it forms a volatile mixture with the air. A
simple match held at the mouth combusts the alcohol vapor.
● Only a small amount of alcohol is used and and it quickly vaporizes
to a heavier than air vapor. The alcohol vapor and air are all that
remain in the bottle. Alcohol molecules in the vapor phase are farther apart
than in the liquid phase and present more surface area for reaction;
therefore the combustion reaction that occurs is very fast.
● Since the burning is so rapid and occurs in the confined space of a 5-gallon
jug with a small neck, the sound produced is like a woosh.
● (CH 3) 2CHOH(g) + 29 O2(g) → 3CO2(g) + 4H 2O(g) ΔH =− 1, 235 kJ/mol
Instructional Procedure
1. Add 25 ml of isopropyl alcohol 91% to the blue carboy.
2. Swish the liquid around the bottle, coating every surface until all the liquid
disappears.
3. Drain excess liquid into the beaker; you only want vapor in the bottle when
you ignite it.
4. Clear the beaker and bottle of alcohol from the table, there should be no
containers of alcohol near the bottle when it is ignited.
5. Put the carboy on a flat, sturdy table and ask those watching to stand 5-8
feet back.
6. Strike a match and clip it to the lighting rod.
7. Ignite the bottle by holding the match near the opening of the bottle.
8. There will be a loud whoosh and an afterburn.
9. When the burn is complete, you may cap the bottle with your hand and
allow the carboy to contract. If you do this, please be sure the burn is out
before doing so.
10.To repeat the demo, drain all liquid from the carboy and allow it to dry and
refill with oxygen. Be sure that the bottle is structurally intact, reasonable
dry, and cool to the touch before repeating the demo.
2/3 Assessment/sample questions you can ask:
● Why do we hear a noise?
● Where did all of the energy come from?
● What is produced in this reaction?
● Is burning a chemical or physical reaction?
● Where does the light come from?
● Why does the bottle contract when capped?
Clean Up
● Dispose of all excess liquids and ensure equipment is
clean and dry.
● Ensure there are enough matches and alcohol to do this
demo again.
● Wipe down equipment, bin, and demo area.
● Store alcohol securely, making sure the cap is tight.
● Put matches in a plastic bag.
References
● Flynn Scientific - Whoosh Bottle: http://youtu.be/JM-trdzV1N4
● http://www.flinnsci.com/media/484580/95010-r.pdf
Next Generation Science Standards
● K-5
○ 2-PS1
○ 4-PS3
○ 5-PS1
● 6-8
○ MS-PS1
○ MS-PS3
3/3