The Magic of the Unburnable Paper Cup | Paper Cup Science Project
Parental Supervision Required: Since this experiment involves fire, make sure an adult is present to help!
Materials You’ll Need:
- A paper cup (make sure it’s unwaxed!)
- Water
- A metal rod and clamp (you can find these in a chemistry lab)
- Bunsen burner / Candle (with adult supervision!)
What We’re Going to Do:
In this experiment, we’re going to use a simple paper cup and water to show a cool science trick! You’ll amaze your friends and family as the paper cup doesn’t burn, even when it’s right above a flame. Let’s get started!
Steps to Follow:
- Fill the cup with water: Pour water into the cup until it’s almost full.
- Set up the experiment: Use the metal rod and clamp to hang the cup. Make sure it’s hanging safely above the Bunsen burner.
- Position the cup carefully: The cup should be just above the flame, but not touching it. Aim for about an inch (2.5 cm) of space between the flame and the cup.
- Light the Bunsen burner (with help from an adult!): Ask an adult to carefully light the burner. Make sure the flame doesn’t directly touch the paper cup.
- Watch the magic happen: The water will start to heat up, and soon, you’ll see it boil. The amazing part? The paper cup won’t catch fire!
The Science Behind It:
- Water Boils at 100°C: Water gets hot and starts to boil at a temperature of 100°C (212°F). When it boils, it turns into steam.
- Paper Burns at a Higher Temperature: Paper doesn’t catch fire until it reaches a much higher temperature, called the “kindling point.” This is way hotter than boiling water!
- Heat is Used to Boil Water: As the flame heats the paper cup, the heat is absorbed by the water inside. Instead of burning the paper, the energy goes into heating the water. Only when all the water evaporates will the paper get hot enough to catch fire.
Why It Works:
The reason the paper cup doesn’t burn is that the heat from the flame is being used to keep the water boiling. The paper doesn’t reach the kindling point (the temperature needed to start a fire) as long as the water is there. Isn’t that cool?
Important Notes:
- Always have an adult with you when using a Bunsen burner or fire.
- If the water runs out, the paper cup will burn, so keep an eye on it!
Conclusion:
This experiment shows how heat energy works in a really fun way! You’ve just learned that as long as there’s water in the cup, the flame will keep it boiling, and the cup won’t burn. It’s a simple trick with fascinating science behind it!
