The production and combustion of nitrocellulose

A hand with some burning paper

Source: © Declan Fleming

Get your students engaged in a flash with this impressive demo

For this demonstration, chemistry teacher and author Declan Fleming treats filter paper with a nitrating mixture to create a spectacular combustion reaction. The paper burns quickly, with a bright yellow flame, and leaves almost no residual material – so this a highly effective, yet simple demonstration to keep your students captivated. You could use this demonstration to teach younger students combustion or as a complement to a lesson when teaching nitration reactions at post-16.

Thanks for using Education in Chemistry. You can view one Education in Chemistry article per month as a visitor. 

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more:

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not eligible for Teach Chemistry? Sign up for a personal account instead, or you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.