Emergency services / military
Fire Brigade. The temperatures attained by cooking fats and oil in chip pans are discussed, and terms such as the ignition temperature are introduced and discussed. The effect of water on a chip pan fire is demonstrated spectacularly.
Fire Brigade. Understanding the chemistry of combustion is vital in fighting or preventing fire. The way that fire develops and how it is controlled or extinguished is explained. Models demonstrate the audible and visible differences in reaction depending on proportions of reactants involved.
Fire Brigade. As well as tackling fires the fire brigade is also called to deal with chemical spillages. Students participate in a simulated incident involving a chemical spillage and learn about how chemicals are identified and the protective clothing and equipment required by the fire-fighters.
Police. The use of chemicals to help recover latent fingerprints is discussed, and students have the chance to recover their own fingerprints from an article. Examples of latent prints treated with other types of chemical are shown and a machine to detect indented writing (in hate mail, for example) is demonstrated.
Police. Along with discussions of the ways in which chemistry assists police work, demonstrations of some of the techniques used are given and explained. These include a chemical kit that identifies certain drugs and the roadside breathalyser.
Police. The role of a scene of crimes officer is explained, focusing on the taking and identification of fingerprints. Students have the opportunity to take and identify their own fingerprints.
The army. A unit of the army is responsible for developing a single fuel suitable for all army vehicles and also for devising tests for fuel quality that can be used in conflict situations. This work is described and examples of the tests shown.
The army. Chemical warfare protection suits are demonstrated and the chemistry they use is described. Some students get the chance to wear the suits.
