Chemical Dominoes Reactions

Reaction 1: Lifting a Balloon; Sodium bicarbonate + acetic acid = CO2

The baking soda and vinegar react inside the Erlenmeyer flask and the CO2
resulting from the reaction blows up the balloon. The balloon then tips a lever, dropping a
weight, which pulls the strike pad, lighting the match.
Reaction 2: Burning Salts; Cupric chloride (blue), strontium chloride (red)
We coated a string in the flammable salts which turn vivid colors when ignited. They change
colors because when a metal salt is burned, the input of thermal energy raises the electrons in
the metal atom to a higher energy state. These electrons cant remain in this excited state for
too long and will emit energy in the form of light to return to the more stable, grounded state. It is
the light we see when a metal atom is burned in the flame.
Reaction 3: Burning through metal; Copper chloride + aluminum = aluminum chloride +
copper
2AL(s) = 3CuCl2 => 3Cu + 2AlCl
Aluminum is always coated in a thin layer of aluminum oxide and the copper helps break down
the barrier. The copper ion helps the aluminum separate from the oxygen so that the aluminum
can react with the chloride. The breakdown of the aluminum leads to the lighting of the LED on
the Breadboard.