Video: Plunging Hot Charcoal Into Liquid Oxygen
A scientific breakdown brought to you courtesy of a high-speed camera.
As part of the excellent Periodic Table of Videos series, shot by video journalist Brady Haran and featuring University of Nottingham chemists, this YouTube video walks you through what happens when hot charcoal gets added to liquid oxygen. The liquid oxygen, which is so cold it starts boiling as soon it reaches the air, nonetheless provides fuel for a tiny, intense fire that makes the piece of charcoal look like a miniature burning star.