Combustion of Methane Bubbles

     Fill a sink or large bucket half full of water, add 25 mL of concentrated detergent, add 10 mL glycerine (to make bubbles stronger).  Bubble methane gas from jets using a rubber tube.  The methane gas will be trapped in the bubbles.  Collect a 1 foot x 1 foot volume of gas bubbles.  

       Turn off the jet to stop creating more bubbles.  To ignite the bubble, you have several choices.  Toss in a match and watch the mushroom flame.  If your more daring, wet your hand well, scoop a large handful of bubbles and light the gas off your hand.  The water on your hand will evaporate and take the heat away from your hand.  Finally, to show that methane gas is less dense than air, scoop a handful of methane bubbles, gently blow the bubble off from your hand.  As they float towards the ceiling light them.  

Caution:  Know the location of your heat sensors in your room. 

Concepts:  Combustion, Write a chemical equation, density

Time Required:  15 minutes

Chemicals Provided:  methane (natural gas), water, glycerine, detergent