I saw this on Facebook last month but there was no provenance on the video so I couldn't make a stink.

As others have said, I would fire this teacher - on the spot. Incredibly stupid and incredibly dangerous.

Taking Eddie's suggestion, I provided similar feedback to MSN. There are other really interesting, and safe, demonstrations that can be used to illustrate the scientific point.


Debbie M. Decker, CCHO, ACS Fellow
Chair, Division of Chemical Health and Safety
University of California, Davis
(530)754-7964
(530)304-6728
dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction
that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,
can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2015 7:18 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU

Subject: [DCHAS-L] Liquid methane experiment in class

I think DCHAS members may want to be aware of this in case they have people who like to emulate Internet videos in the organization...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/video/wonder/liquid-methane-experiment-in-class/vi-AAaBJYz

This teacher leaves his students treating the floor like lava while leaving them in awe and he shows them what a little bit of liquid methane will do when lit on fire and poured onto the floor. Perhaps there's an opportunity to develop a Job Hazard Analysis of this demonstration...

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Secretary
Division of Chemical Health and Safety
American Chemical Society