How to set dry ice on fire

Kent Chemistry offers up some of the most exciting chemistry and general science experiments from their lab. Here Mr. Kent illustrates the process of creating fire with dry ice. How does freezing and flame mix? Watch now to see the amazing chemical reaction!

This years halloween show I had 250 pounds of dry ice for my chemistry demonstrations. This reaction is between metallic magnesium and carbon dioxide. Magnesium reacts with oxygen in the air to form magnesium oxide, but when the only source of oxygen is from CO2 the reaction becomes much more energetic. The products are white magnesium oxide and blck carbon. 2Mg + CO2--> 2MgO + C