Background:
The burning book demonstration provides a dramatic contrast between magic and science. The burning book can entertain an audience, but it can also be studied as an illustration of volatility, combustion, and insulation when its interior is shown.

Materials:
An old chemistry textbook From Radio Shack:
10" by 10" piece of sheet metal Battery holder (#270-408)
2 AA batteries Submini lever switch (#275-016A)
Heavy-duty aluminum foil Bayonet lamp holder (#272-359)
Elmer’s glue
Epoxy glue From Corona USA in Fort Lee, NJ (Phone number: 201-592-0123)
2 Small pieces of wood (1/4" thick)
4 Sheet-metal screws (3/8" long) glow lamp (it is a battery powered
Fireproof fabric ribbon igniter for kerosene stoves)(wick from kerosene lamp)
Velcro
Naphtha lighter fluid

Construction of book:
Hollow out the center section of the book leaving free pages at both the front and back of the book. Cut a hole that is 4" across by 6" down and 1" deep. The hole can be cut with a sharp knife or a single-edged razor blade. The shop teacher in your school may be able to cut the hole with a band saw.

Use the template provided to prepare the fireproof chamber from. Make a U-shaped bridge from an extra piece of sheet metal. It separates the battery and switch in the lower chamber from the upper "burning" chamber. (See schematics.) The bridge is held in place with two sheet metal screws.

Cover a small block of wood (1/2" by 1") with aluminum foil and glue it next to the U-shaped bridge in the upper "burning" chamber. Use epoxy glue for this. Also use the epoxy glue to fasten the fireproof fabric ribbon to the bottom of the upper chamber.

Fasten a small piece of wood (1" by ½") into the lower right side of the chamber with the epoxy. This will hold the switch. Make sure that the block of wood is low enough in the chamber so that when the switch is attached to it and the book is closed, the lever on the switch is not pushed down. Attach the plastic battery holder to the lower chamber with Velcro. Use the epoxy glue to seal the bridge along the sides and bottom. This will prevent the lighter fluid from running into the lower chamber.

Connect the red wire from the battery to the middle lead on the switch. Connect the outer lead from the switch (see diagram for correct lead) to one of the leads on the lamp holder. Connect the black wire from the battery holder to the second lead on the lamp holder. Check to make sure the lamp glows when the lever is held down before you solder all connections.

Using a sheet metal screw, attach the lamp holder to the block of wood in the upper chamber. With two small nails, secure the switch to the block of wood in the lower chamber. Before the chamber is pushed into the hole, use Elmer’s glue to cover the page

beneath with a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Glue a second piece of foil on the facing page. Wait at least 48 hours to let the epoxy dry.

Demonstration:

About ten minutes before you will demonstrate the burning book, soak the fireproof fabric with lighter fluid and close the book.

To begin the demonstration, you may want to tell your students that chemistry is a really fascinating subject and that there is lots of good information in their textbook. Open the book and hold down the lever on the switch. As the book begins to burn tell them the more they read about chemistry, they will have a BURNING desire to learn more! As soon as the book begins to burn, release the switch. Close the book tightly to suffocate the fire.

Safety:

Use in a well-ventilated room and wear safety goggles and frie resistant gloves. Make sure the book is away from your face.

The only fuel to be used is the naphtha lighter fluid. Other fuels may cause a severe explosion or an uncontrollable flame.

Never pour lighter fluid into a hot book. Make sure the flame has been extinguished before you leave the book unattended.

Adapted from: Fortman, John J. and Battino, Robin, The "Burning" Book-A Guide to Its Construction, CHEM 13 NEWS, May 1996.

Use this template to construct the flameproof chamber