Classroom demonstrations...

...from H.M.S. Beagle

Dichromate Volcano
This is a standard demonstration that we have perfected over the years and because of its
realistic ash flow, smoke and sparks is sure to please even the most jaded vulcanologist.
Basic Supplies:
(1) Ammonium Dichromate, 70 grams (Item #8118);
(2) Potassium Permanganate, 25 grams (Item #1163);
(3) 1,2,3-Propanetriol (Glycerine), 25 grams (Item #1152);
(4) 20/400 Dropper Assembly for 1 fl.oz. Boston Round Bottle (Item #7955);
(5) Sulfur, 3.206 grams (Item #1318);
(6) Magnesium, Powder, 2.4305 grams (Item #7170);
(7) Premolded volcano cone (optional, but makes for a much more satisfying demonstration), alternatively one can use a 16 x 16 piece of plywood on which the pile of
preignition volcano chemicals can be placed if no cone is being used;
(8) 2 x Large Plastic Garbage Bags;
(9) Pair of Scissors;
(10) Three pieces of 8 x 11 printer paper and Scotch tape;
(11) A plastic funnel with a small end no larger than approximately in diameter;
(12) A plastic spoon;
(13) Pair of Safety Goggles (Item #1960);
(14) Pair of Rubber Gloves;
(15) Paper towels;
(16) A pencil.
Additional Supplies (for making a volcano cone)
(16) A 3 length of 2 galvanized steel pipe (called a nipple) that has been threaded on
both ends;
(17) A 2 threaded pipe cap;
(18) Modeling clay;
(19) A 2 (female) to 1 (male or female) galvanized pipe reducer;
(20) Plaster of Paris (5 lbs should be sufficient);
Directions for Using a Pre-made Volcano Cone:
(1) Put on the goggles and gloves;
(2) Cut one of the plastic bags down one side and across the bottom and spread it out flat
on the ground (it is always best to do this demonstration outside). Save the second bag
for clean up and disposal;
(3) Place pre-made volcano cone in the center of the flattened plastic bag;
(4) Gently mix the sulfur powder with the magnesium powder with a plastic spoon on a
piece of paper and set it aside;

(5) Divide the ammonium dichromate into piles of approximately 1/3 and 2/3;
(6) With the plastic spoon transfer the smaller pile of ammonium dichromate onto the
mixture of the magnesium and sulfur, mix these together and set aside;
(7) Roll a piece of 8 x 11 paper so that the funnels tube will just fit inside and so that
the paper will not unroll;
(8) Place the rolled up paper into the center of the mouth of the volcano cone and insert
the funnel into the roll;
(9) Transfer the ammonium dichromate/magnesium/sulfur mixture into the funnel while
gently tapping the roll to settle the mixture into the roll;
(10) Remove the funnel from the paper roll while leaving the paper roll inside the volcano cone;
(11) Transfer the remaining ammonium dichromate into the volcano cone so that it completely surrounds the paper roll (use the handle of the spoon if necessary to arrange the
ammonium dichromate uniformly around the roll of paper);
(12) Gently remove the paper roll from the mouth of the volcano; this leaves a core of the
ammonium dichromate/magnesium/sulfur mixture inside the rest of the ammonium
dichromate and the whole is the volcano preignition mixture (refer to the illustration);
(13) Using the eraser end of a pencil place a small depression in the volcano preignition
mixture;
(14) Place approximately teaspoon-full of potassium permanganate into the small
depression that was just made;
(15) Using the pencil, again, make a small depression in the potassium permanganate;
(16) Using the plastic pipette (dropper) draw up a bit of 1,2,3-Propanetriol (glycerin) into
it and carefully allow two drops of glycerine to fall onto depression that was made in the
potassium permanganate (NOTE: for added showmanship one can allow a single drop of
spit to fall onto the spot where the glycerine was dropped; do this immediately after
adding the glycerine. If one waits too long before dropping on the spit the reaction will
begin. The start of the reaction is signaled when a small wisp of smoke rises from the
cone);
(16) Stand back and enjoy the sight and smell of the volcano.
Directions for a Simple Volcano (Without a Plaster Cone)
(1) Put on the goggles and gloves;
(2) Cut one of the plastic bags down one side and across the bottom and spread it out flat
on the ground (it is always best to do this demonstration outside). Save the second bag
for clean up and disposal;
(3) Place the piece of plywood in the center of the flattened plastic bag;
(4) Gently mix the sulfur powder with the magnesium powder with a plastic spoon on a
piece of paper and set it aside;
(5) Divide the ammonium dichromate into piles of approximately 1/3 and 2/3;
(6) With a plastic spoon transfer the smaller pile of ammonium dichromate onto the
mixture of the magnesium and sulfur, mix these together and transfer this mixture to the
piece of plywood;
(7) Transfer the remaining ammonium dichromate so that it covers the ammonium
dichromate/magnesium/sulfur mixture completely while forming a cone shape (if necessary shape the cone with a plastic spoon) this is the volcano preignition mixture;

(8) Using the eraser end of a pencil make a small depression in the volcano preignition
mixture;
(9) Place approximately teaspoon-full of potassium permanganate into the small depression that was just made;
(10) Using the pencil make a small depression in the pile of potassium permanganate;
(11) Using the plastic pipette (dropper) draw up a bit of 1,2,3-Propanetriol (glycerin) into
it and carefully allow two drops of glycerine to fall onto the depression that was made in
the potassium permanganate (NOTE: for added showmanship one can allow a single
drop of spit to fall onto the spot where the glycerine was dropped; do this immediately
after adding the glycerine (if one waits too long before dropping on the spit the reaction
will begin). The start of the reaction is signaled by a rising wisp of smoke;
(12) Stand back and enjoy the sight and smell of the volcano.
Directions for making a Plaster Cone for the Volcano
To have a more realistic volcano one can construct a plaster cone on the piece of plywood.
(1) Place the piece of 16 x 16 x plywood flat on a work table;
(2) Next take the 3 length of 2 galvanized steel pipe (nipple), that has been threaded at
both ends;
(3) Screw the pipe cap onto one end.
(4) Place the pipe and pipe cap assemble in the center of the plywood with the pipe cap
end down so that the clay holds it upright and perpendiculat to the plane of the plywood;
(4) Screw the pipe reducer onto the 2 pipe. This makes a choke in the interior of what
will become the volcano cone;
(5) Mix up enough plaster of Paris so that an exterior volcano cone can be formed by
hand around the piece of pipe up to just below where the pipe reducer is screwed on. It
is important that the pipe reducer not be covered with the wet plaster at this point;
(6) Shape and mold the plaster to make it look as much like a volcano cone as possible,
leave the narrow end more or less flat at the top and only about 3 to 3 in diameter at
the top. The base of the volcano cone can be 8 to 10 in diameter with gullies and ledges
along its sides (like a real volcanic cone); this makes the cone base;
(7) Cut a piece of paper about 4 x 4 with a 2 diameter round hole in the center and dip
it in vegetable oil. Place the oiled paper over the top of the pipe and press it down onto
the top of the flat, dried plaster of the cone base;
(8) Leaving the oiled paper in place gently screw the pipe reducer onto the top of the 2
pipe that extends above the dried plaster cone; applying a little oil to the threads of both
pieces before hand is helpful;
(9) The top of the cone base should be about below the bottom of the pipes upper
threads and it needs to be smoothed flat;
(10) Apply oil to the entire outside of the reducer (this will help prevent the plaster from
sticking to the pipe);
(11) Mix up another batch of plaster and apply it around the reducer and up to its top lip;
shape it so that it appears to continue upwards from the base cone;
(12) Once the plaster has set firmly, gently remove it from the pipe reducer; it should
separate cleanly from where it was sitting because of the oil applied to the reducer and

the paper ; if some pieces of plaster crumble off just mix up a small amount of plaster
and using a popsicle stick or your fingers repair the missing pieces; this is the cone top;
(13) Once the plaster has set up unscrew the pipe reducer. If some wet plaster has gotten
into the pipes threads an old toothbrush can be used to clean the them. Once the plaster
has set, gently remove it from the pipe reducer. It should separate cleanly from where it
was sitting; if some pieces of plaster crumble off just mix up a small amount of plaster
and using a popsicle stick or your fingers repair the missing pieces;
(14) Starting at #9 in the first set of instructions transfer the two different powders into
the 2 diameter pipe.
(15) Gently screw the reducer onto the pipe and replace the small piece of the cones
plaster top over it; it should appear as if the cone tapers away from its top to the base.
(16) Resume the setup with #13 in the first set of instructions; use the funnel if necessary
to add the potassium permanganate down the throat of the pipe reducer.
Refer to the diagram for a simplified cut-a-way view of the volcano cone.
Notes and Explanations:
The unused glycerin and potassium permanganate can be saved for more experiments
later. All of the chemicals are available individually from H.M.S. Beagle and can be
ordered on-line (www.hms-beagle.com).
The glycerin catalyzes the vigorous decomposition of the potassium permanganate;
because the glycerin is extremely dry, the use of a drop of spit actually speeds up this
initial reaction. The reaction between the glycerin and the potassium permanganate gets
very hot and as it burns downward it eventually makes contact with the ammonium
dichromate. Once ignited, the ammonium dichromate self-catalyzes and produces nitrogen gas, water vapor and copious amounts of green chromium oxide. Once the heat of
the reaction reaches the ammonium dichromate/magnesium/sulfur mixture it too ignites
sending sparks of burning magnesium into the air and smell of burning sulfur (sulfur
dioxide).
Once the reaction is finished allow it to cool for several hours and then dispose of the
residue (ash) in the trash (using the second plastic garbage bag). Save the pre-made cone
or piece of plywood for another demonstration. The more the pre-made cone is used the
more authentic it will appear.

H.M.S. Beagle
180 English Landing Drive
Suites # 110 & 120
Parkville, MO 64152
816-587-9998
fax: 816-587-9997
e-mail: clk@hms-beagle.com
web site: www.hms-beagle.com

Cross-sectional Diagram of Plaster and Pipe Volcano Cone on Plywood

(not to scale):

Copyright 2011 John Farrell Kuhns - H.M.S. Beagle