VOL. 6, NO.5
THECHEMISTRY STUDENT
963
CHEMISTRY ON THE HIGH-SCHOOL STAGE R C. BERGEN, POINT PLEASANT BEACRHIGHSCHOOL, POINT PLEASANT, NEW JERSEY
Chemical experiments for use in short plays or special demonstrations by students on the stage must answer a t least two requirements. They must be spectacular enough to be seen, and must be fairly easy of performance. The author in preparing a short play with a chemical background for the stage tried out and discarded many experiments before finally adopting the ones which were used. The ones ultimately selected proved quite successful for stage work and a short outline of the playlet may prove valuable to any one desiring to use some chemistry on the stage. The experiments were worked up into a short play called "Fifteen Minutes in a Chemical Laboratory," participated in by two senior boys. The scenery represented a boy's amateur laboratory with several tables bearing considerable apparatus, and a small table, with books and papers, serving as a desk. A few chairs were also included. One boy was the owner of the laboratory and the other boy came to visit him while he was trying out some experiments. The owner goes on to show his friend some of the experiments he is working on and his visitor acts very timidly most of the time, thus furnishing the comedy element. A running dialog was written around the experiments and the timid friend furnished the laughs. C Outline of Experiments Used 1. Metallic magnesium lighted in spoon with a match; then thrown on pneumatic trough of water. Beautiful white flash. 2. Smoke in glasses. Used in form of trick. A few drops of HCl in one glass, and a few drops of ammonia in another. A piece of paper held in front and one glass placed on top of the other. Paper removed and both glasses found filled with smoke. (NHaCl.) 3. Spontaneous combustion. White phosphorus dissolved in carbon disulfide and poured on filter paper. In a few seconds the paper, hung up on a piece of wire, ignites itself. 4. Colored water experiment. A few drops of ammonia are added to a glass pitcher filled with water. In the first glass tumbler is placed a few drops of alcoholic phenolphthalein solution. In a second tumbler is placed a teaspoonful of dilute sulfuric acid. On pouring out the first glass it, of course, turns dark red immediately. Another one is poured into the acid, which stays uncolored. The boy visitor, however, says he is not thirsty now and the second glass is poured back. The amateur owner then walks away. The boy visitor has an idea that he will fix the pitcher of water so no one will drink it, whereupon he pours the
glass of red liquid back, expecting to color the pitcher red. To his surprise it turns colorless as fast as he pours it back, due to the acid now in the pitcher. The experiment is very simple and quite effective on the stage. 5 . Burn a piece of picture wire in a jar of oxygen. 6. Burn a little powdered antimony in chlorine gas. 7. Four parts of ammonium chloride, four parts of zinc, and one part of ammonium nitrate. Mix well, place on iron pan, and ignite with a drop of water. 8. Red fire (light with 2- or 3-inch fuse) 1 part strontium nitrate 1 part sulfur 2 parts potassium nitrate 2 parts charcoal
9. Green fire (light with 2- or 3-inch fuse) 1 part sulfur 2 parts potassium nitrate 2 parts charcoal 2 parts zinc
10. Fire writing: Take one or more sheets of soft white typewriter paper and write with a concentrated solution of potassium nitrate, using a toothpick or match. The letters i n the word or words must be connected. Allow to dry, and light a t the first l&ter with a piece of Chinese punk, after fastening up against a dark background. It is effective to write the name of the school on two sheets and light them both at once. If large sheets of filter paper are available, these will work very well, but they should be a t least eight inches by eleven inches. Additional Comment on Experiments The first experiment with metallic magnesium is particularly effective, is harmless, and very easy to perform. The magnesium burns slowly in the spoon with just a dull glow when lighted with a match. Do not use over one-half tablespoonful, preferably one-third. Allow the magnesium to burn practically out before throwing it on the water. ~t is effective to pretend to blow the smoke from a lighted match into the glasses through the paper in Experiment 2. In Experiment 4 it is effective, of course, to have the visiting boy ask for a drink. Experiments 5 and G are well known and require no explanation. Experiments 8 and 9 were contained in small iron pans. If possible, keep them toward the back of the stage as they make considerable smoke. Fuses can be made by soaking cotton string in potassium nitrate.
In Experiment 10 use the solution hot when writing on the paper, but not so concentrated that i t will not soak through the paper. An additional comedy situation was inserted by the author in the form of a large imitation paper fire cracker lighted by an explosive match, but this was not necessary to the success of the play. It is advisable to have a small fire extinguisher handy in case of emergency. Conclusion The experiments mentioned are spectacular, easy to perform, require very little apparatus, no gas burner, only a box of matches and a piece of punk for igniting, and because of their showy nature and simplicity are well adapted for stage work.
