CLEAPSS Supporting practical science and technology
SRA027 – Dynamite soap
The explosion between hydrogen and oxygen, in the confines of a modern school laboratory, is extremely loud.

A mixture of hydrogen and oxygen is placed inside a syringe. The mixture is bubbled into soap solution and a lighted splint is applied. There is a 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.