Exploding Flour
Flour will create an explosion!
Take a large handful of flour, and leave it for some time near the fire, in order that every trace of dampness may be expelled.
Whilst the flour is drying take a large tin box (a cracker tin will do admirably), and near the bottom make a small hole.
Through this hole pass the end of a piece of india-rubber tubing, and place the handful of dry flour in front of it.
At the other end of the box place a short piece of candle, and after lighting it, cover the box with the lid, taking care that it is not too firmly fixed.
If you now blow down the tube with your mouth, or better still, with a pair of bellows an explosion at once takes place, as a result of which the lid will be blown off ([Fig. 12]).
Fig. 12.—Exploding flour.
If flour be not available the experiment may be performed with equal success by using fine dust, such as may be found on the backs of pictures, or collected from any elevated parts of the room.