Does money burn a hole in your pocket? “Science Guy” Jason Lindsey with Hooked on Science says, using science, you can actually light a dollar bill without burning the money. Make sure an adult is present to supervise.

Supplies

1 cup of water

1 cup of rubbing alcohol

1 dollar bill

Tongs

Grill lighter

Instructions

n STEP 1: Mix the 1 cup of water with the 1 cup of rubbing alcohol.

n STEP 2: Using the tongs, dip the dollar bill into the water and rubbing alcohol mixture for 30 seconds.

n STEP 3: Holding the dollar bill with the tongs, use the grill lighter to ignite the dollar bill. Make sure you keep the fire away from the water and rubbing alcohol mixture.

n STEP 4: Allow the dollar bill to burn for about 10 seconds.

 Explanation

Combustion or burning occurs between the alcohol and oxygen. The rubbing alcohol is what burns when you ignite the dollar bill. The temperature at which alcohol burns is not hot enough to evaporate the water, therefore the dollar bill remains wet and does not catch on fire. Water is very good at absorbing heat without increasing in temperature. You can discover more hands-on experiments by going to hookedonscience.org.

  — hookedonscience.org