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Short · Practical Chemistry & Experimental Design

Sacrificial black cat (potassium chlorate)

1:00Practical demonstrationIntroductory

This energetic demonstration reacts a sugar-rich lolly with molten potassium chlorate, showing rapid oxidation and the large energy release from combustion.

Combustion, emissions & sustainabilityDemonstrations & data interpretationShort videoCombustionCarbon dioxide emissionsSustainabilityDemonstrationData analysis

Learning goals

What you should be able to do

  • identify potassium chlorate as a strong oxidising agent
  • connect rapid oxidation with a large energy release

Curriculum links

VCE Chemistry connections

  • Unit 3, Area of Study 1Carbon-based fuels
  • Unit 2, Area of Study 1Redox (electron transfer) reactions

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