One of the benefits of using videos on an IWB in Science lessons is for those moments when you want to demonstrate something that is just too dangerous to do in the classroom.

This is particularly true when demostrating the reaction of Alkali Metals with water. You can demonstrate small pieces, but it’s a little dull. And when the kids ask “go on Sir, throw in a bigger bit” you still can’t use too big a bit for obvious safety reasons.

Which is why it’s good to then turn to a good video to demonstrate the reaction.

An old favourite of mine was from the TV show “Brainiac”:

But sadly this is actually a fake experiment. If you look carefully you can even see a wire going into one of the bathtubs which sets off the regular explosive.

Last night I watched a Mythbusters episode that I must have missed previously where they test out the scenario in the Brainiac video and prove that it didn’t happen the way it was show. It’s a nice way of demonstrating how to actually test something you see on screen to see if it is actually real.

Their take on Alkali metals in water is in two parts. Here’s part one:

and here’s part 2:

Awesome stuff. I think I now have a new favourite Alkali Metal explosion video to show.

An alternative is to check out the Sodium Party videos from Theodore Gray. Big lumps of sodium in a lake.

And remember – don’t try this at home….

Related posts:

1. Periodic Table of Videos
2. Science Videos
3. Cassiopeia – HD Science Videos
4. Simple Science Videos
5. Teaching Videos

Filed under: Science Resources, Videos, YouTube Resources

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