My lesson was a small quantity of sodium dropped into a lab sink full of
water. Pretty impressive underwater "fireworks" as I recall.
Chuck Norcutt
John Hermanson wrote:
> A dangerous when wet metal.....Reminds me of a fifth grade science class
> demonstration. Mr. Rudley takes out a can of sodium, a blob sitting
> submerged in kerosene. He digs out a small sample and places it on a
> test dish. Adds a drop of water and it explodes like a firecracker (as
> I recall, 44 years ago.)
>
> ___________________________________
> John Hermanson
> Camtech Photo Services, Inc.
> 21 South Lane, Huntington NY 11743
> 631-424-2121 | Olympus OM Service since 1977
> http://www.zuiko.com | omtech1 AT verizon.net
>
>
> Piers Hemy wrote:
>> For a couple of hair-raising reports of the long-established dangers
>> of lithium cells not installed in equipment, try a google search on
>> "ntsb lithium" - the first two results are the ones to look at,
>> namely www.ntsb.gov/events/2006/PhiladelphiaPA/Exhibits/350561.pdf
>> and www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2005/HZB0501.pdf. The following
>> clarification is taken from one of the footnotes to the second
>> result, the NTSB report into a cargo fire on a Fedex MD-11 at Memphis
>> in 2004.
>>
>> Lithium is a combustible alkali metal that self-ignites in air at
>> 352° Fahrenheit (F). When exposed to water, lithium reacts
>> exothermically and releases hydrogen, creating a dangerous fire risk.
>> Fires involving lithium are extremely difficult to extinguish.
>> Extinguishers using water, gas, or certain dry chemicals cannot
>> control this type of fire. The DOT classifies lithium metal as a
>> division 4.3 material (dangerous when wet). Lithium metal may not be
>> shipped on passenger aircraft but may be shipped on cargo aircraft,
>> provided each package weighs no more than 15 kilograms.
>>
>> -- Piers
>>
>>
>
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