Introduction: Simple Science: Burn Steel Wool
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About: NurdRage is a dedicate group of science nerds trying to further amateur science with direct how-to instructions in video format. We saw what was already online and we thought "we could do better"... …
We demonstrate the simple combustive oxidation of iron by burning a common household item: Steel wool.
Normally we do not think of iron as being flammable, this is because bulk iron doesn't self-sustain its burning like most flammable materials. But the strands of steel wool are thin enough with enough surface area that heat produced is self-sustaining and will continue to burn through if there is enough air present.
To do this, simply pull apart and fluff up the steel wool to separate the strands. Then simply set it on fire. The steel wool should then burn flamelessly creating iron oxide.
11 Comments
Question 3 years ago on Introduction
Why doesn't a battery cause copper to burn?
7 years ago
Omg... Is that your real voice on the video? I hope you use it professionally, you have a super crazy narrator voice or at least radio DJ. If you're not a voiceover guy, you're missing out!
12 years ago on Introduction
Is it possible to turn that steel wool into to powder so that it burns better?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
No, because the powder has not too surface area in contact with the air. The tiny particles touch one to other, on the other hand between the steel strands remain a lot of air.
I've tried that suggest NurdRage, it is very interesting. Beware of small children!!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yes you are very much correct, having the stuff in a powder would make it very difficult to sustain Combustion... However if you mixed it with some sort of Oxidizer (Which is Essentially like Solidified Oxygen...) Then would would get and extremely powerful and aggressive heat release...
That is actually how Thermite is made... But the key thing is to supply significant oxygen to sustain a burn...
As for turning it into a powder... Yes so time spent in a ball mill should probably do nicly...
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
only if you suck
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Huh..?
10 years ago on Introduction
will it burn a a oxygon rich invirment.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
only if your dusty
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yes, it even burns in an environment with relatively low Oxygen... So when you have a area rich in Oxygen I would Not see why it not...
9 years ago on Introduction
pen15