Lena Savoie
A mixture of alcohol and water can be used to create a simple demonstration in which a dollar bill is soaked in the solution, set on fire, and left unburned. This experiment highlights the high heat capacity of water, the low temperature of alcohol combustion, and the unique qualities of currency. The water in the solution absorbs the heat energy generated when the bill is lit, preventing the bill from reaching its ignition temperature of 233°C or 451°F. While the alcohol burns off, the water protects the money from catching fire. This experiment should only be performed under strict adult supervision due to the use of flammable liquids and open flames.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Money burns when soaked in | Pure alcohol |
| Money doesn't burn when soaked in | Alcohol and water solution |
| Ratio of alcohol to water | 50:50 |
| Water | Has a high heat capacity |
| Alcohol | Burns at a low temperature |
| Water | Absorbs heat energy |
| Bill | Remains intact, slightly damp, and cool to the touch |
| Flame colour | Blue, orange, yellow, green, purple |
| Additives | Salt, other colourants |
| Safety | Adult supervision, safety glasses, fire extinguisher |
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What You'll Learn
Water's high heat capacity
Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat energy before its temperature starts to rise. This is due to the hydrogen bonding between water molecules. When heat is absorbed, these hydrogen bonds break, allowing water molecules to move freely. When the water cools down, the hydrogen bonds reform, releasing a large amount of energy.
Water has the highest specific heat capacity of any liquid. To increase the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius, one calorie or 4.184 Joules of heat energy is required. This is about five times more heat energy than what is required for sand. As a result, water takes a long time to heat up and a long time to cool down.
The high heat capacity of water has a significant impact on the Earth's climate and the habitability of many regions. For instance, the mild climate along England's southwestern shore is partially attributable to water's high specific heat. Water also helps regulate the rate at which air temperatures change, leading to gradual temperature shifts between seasons, particularly near bodies of water like oceans and lakes.
In the context of the burning money trick, water's high heat capacity prevents the combustion of paper money soaked in alcohol. The water absorbs the heat from the burning alcohol, preventing the temperature from reaching the paper's ignition point.
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Alcohol's low combustion temperature
Alcohols are highly flammable and can undergo combustion. However, the combustion of alcohol has a relatively low temperature compared to other fuels. For example, the adiabatic flame temperature for the combustion of ethanol in air is 2082 °C or 3779 °F. The flashpoint of pure ethanol is 13 °C (55 °F).
The combustion temperature of ethanol and methanol varies slightly depending on impurities and other factors outside of carefully controlled environments. These two types of alcohol are considered attractive alternatives to fossil fuels because they can be produced at low cost and are more environmentally friendly.
In the "burning money trick", a dollar bill is soaked in a solution of alcohol and water and then set on fire. The bill does not burn because the water in the solution absorbs the heat from the burning alcohol, keeping the temperature below the ignition temperature of paper, which is 233 °C or 451 °F. The high heat capacity of water combined with the low combustion temperature of alcohol prevents the bill from burning.
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Absorption of heat energy by water
The “burning money" trick demonstrates how a paper bill can be soaked in a solution of alcohol and water, ignited, and yet remain undamaged. The reason for this is the high heat capacity of water, which absorbs a lot of heat before turning into steam. In this demonstration, the water evaporates and absorbs much of the heat energy generated when the bill is ignited. The water is heated to its boiling point and then vaporised by the heat of combustion from the burning alcohol. The evaporation of the water keeps the temperature below the ignition temperature of paper, which is 233°C or 451°F.
The first law of thermodynamics states that the change in internal energy of a substance is the sum of the heat transferred to it and the work done on it. The second law of thermodynamics dictates that heat only flows from hotter objects to colder ones, not the other way around. This is also known as heat flow, heat transfer, or heat exchange, and it is an endothermic process. When an object is at a different temperature than its surroundings or comes in contact with another object, the cooler object will absorb the warmer object's heat. The longer an object is exposed to a heat source, the more heat will be absorbed.
The specific heat capacity of a substance is the quantity that tells us how much heat energy is needed to raise the temperature of a given mass of that substance by a certain amount. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb a lot of heat energy before its temperature rises. The specific heat capacity of water is 4,181 J/kg°C, which is relatively high compared to other substances. For example, it takes less energy to increase the temperature of lead than it does water, as the specific heat capacity of lead is 128 J/kg°C.
The high heat capacity of water is a property that is used in many applications, such as solar panels and thermal energy storage systems, which rely on materials with high heat absorption capacities to convert and store solar energy efficiently. Knowledge of heat absorption can also be applied in everyday scenarios, such as choosing appropriate clothing for different weather conditions or understanding how to cook food evenly.
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Paper money's porosity
Paper money is a porous material, more like fabric than paper. Due to its composition, paper money readily absorbs liquid. The porosity of the paper money allows it to absorb and hold a significant amount of liquid. When soaked in an alcohol-water solution, the water insulates the bill from a rapid temperature change. The high heat capacity of water allows it to absorb a large amount of heat before turning into steam. As a result, the water absorbs the heat from the burning alcohol, preventing the bill from catching fire.
The ratio of alcohol to water in the solution is crucial. If the proportion of water is reduced, the paper money may char or even ignite. The water content plays a critical role in absorbing heat and preventing the combustion of the bill.
The porosity of paper money allows it to be soaked in the alcohol-water solution, which is essential for the trick's success. The liquid mixture is absorbed into the bill, and the water acts as a heat absorber, preventing the bill from burning. The alcohol-water solution is then ignited, and the water evaporates, taking away the heat energy required to burn the paper money.
The experiment demonstrates the scientific principles of combustion, flammability, and the high specific heat capacity of water. It also highlights the unique qualities of paper money, distinguishing it from ordinary paper due to its porosity and ability to absorb liquids.
While the porosity of paper money plays a crucial role in this experiment, it is important to note that attempting to burn money, even with the described solution, carries inherent risks and should not be attempted without strict adult supervision.
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The flammability of alcohol
Alcohol is a highly flammable substance, especially hard liquor. However, its flammability depends on its proof and form. Typically, alcohol with 80 proof or higher (ABV of 40% or above) is flammable. For example, vodka and whiskey are both 80 proof or 40% ABV, which means they are flammable and can be ignited. Whiskey will quickly light on fire and sustain a decent burn, while vodka will burn a small blue flame that can be extinguished with a light breath.
On the other hand, beverages with lower alcohol content, such as beer and wine, are not flammable. Beer typically has an ABV of 4% to 7%, and wine has an even lower alcohol content, so there is no risk of combustion with these drinks.
It is important to note that when lighting alcohol on fire, it is the alcohol vapour that catches fire, not the liquid, similar to gasoline. Warmer alcohol produces more vapour, making it easier to ignite. Therefore, a torch is a better ignition source than a match because it is hotter and can elicit more vapour.
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Frequently asked questions
Money doesn't burn when soaked in alcohol and water because the water absorbs the heat energy generated when the bill is lit, preventing the temperature from rising above the point at which the money would ignite.
The trick works because water has a high heat capacity, meaning it can absorb a lot of heat energy before turning into steam. The water evaporates and absorbs the heat energy, keeping the temperature below the paper's ignition point.
The ideal ratio is a 50:50 mixture of alcohol and water. However, you can experiment with different ratios, but be careful as the paper may catch fire if there is too much alcohol or too little water.
The type of bill used can make a difference. US bills, for example, are porous and readily absorb liquids. The addition of salt to the mixture can also make the flame more visible, improving the dramatic effect of the trick.
