In this activity, students will be shocked as you torch your own hard-earned cash.

This should be demonstrated by an adult. Please do not give the children fire.

JEDC cannot be held accountable for money mishaps.

Materials Needed

A $1 bill (a $20 is more fun, but…)
3 fl oz. 70% rubbing alcohol (be sure to use the right percentage!)
1 glass
1 stirring device (spoon, stir stick, etc.)
1 fl oz. water
1 pair of tongs
A match or lighter
Safety glasses
Fire extinguisher (hopefully you won’t use it!)

Steps:

Pour 3 ounces of 70% rubbing alcohol into a glass. Add 1 ounce of water and mix thoroughly. (The proportions are really important!)
Don your safety glasses
Using the tongs, dip the bill into the alcohol/water mixture and make sure it is soaked all the way through.
Pull the bill out and gently shake excess liquid off.
Move away from the glass of alcohol and water, or have someone move it away from you.
Hold the bill in one corner with the tongs while you light the opposite bottom edge of the money on fire.
When the flame is completely extinguished, feel the bill. It should be cool to the touch.

Explanation:

When you light your money on fire, the alcohol burns while the water saves your bill! When the alcohol burns, the water takes the heat and evaporates, saving your money from ashes!

Do Not Try it!

Don’t do this – If you were to (but aren’t going to) dip your money in pure alcohol (bad idea), the alcohol would catch on fire (here comes danger) and there would be no water to save your bill! It would burn up and be quite crispy. (I say “would,” because you are not going to try this.)

Real World:

Next time your money is burning a hole in your pocket, dip it in water.