CLEAPSS Supporting practical science and technology
SRA005 - Cannon fire: sprinkling potassium manganate (VII) onto a burning mixture of hydrogen peroxide and ethanol
A set of risk assessed instructions for safely demonstrating this reaction. The reaction between the permanganate and peroxide releases oxygen which burns with a harmless, but quite loud, bang.

Note:- These activities are designed to be carried out individually as part of a lesson conducted in a secondary school science laboratory. The procedures are not intended for use in other contexts – for example in a primary school classroom or other non-science or non-school setting. 

The activities should not be used to create a ‘whizz bang’ science show. 

Experience suggests that using a number of activities one after the other in this way gives rise to unpredictable additional risks which the individual procedures may not manage appropriately.