Methane Mamba - Tower of Bubbles A dancing column of bubbling methane! email to friend
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The Methane Mamba demonstrates the density of a gas which is lighter than air. Methane gas was bubbled through an inverted, cut-in-half 1-liter bottle of soapy water. The methane bubbles, which are lighter than air, float. A growing column of bubbles rose from the bottle into the air when drops of water are strategically added to the column it sways like a snake. For the finale we set the bubble column on fire, showing that methane is also flammable.

How does it work?

Since methane gas is lighter than air it floats upward when it is pumped out of the tubing.  Add a little soapy water and it is easy to see that the gas is not sinking... it is creating a dancing, wiggling column that rises in the air.  The demonstration is popular for teaching fire safety and firefighter training because it demonstrates the movement of flammable gasses that are lighter than air.

In fact, firefighters can now use this demonstration to investgate new technologies, like a slimy polymer gel that is saving homes from devestating fires.