Explosive chemistry - with Andrew Szydlo
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- Опубликовано: 25 мар 2024
- Discover the evolution of explosive chemical experiments, with the maestro of chemistry Andrew Szydlo.
Sign up as a RUclips Channel Member to watch the Q&A here: • Q&A: Explosive chemist...
This Discourse was recorded at the Ri on 29 February 2024.
Go on a journey with Andrew's dazzling demonstrations and experiments, interspersed with anecdotes from his life to show a glimpse behind the curtain of this enigmatic man.
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Safety disclaimer: Andrew Szydlo is an expert, trained chemist who has performed these experiments hundreds of times. He has chosen them carefully to fit the Ri Theatre, and has assessed all risks in advance. Please do not try these experiments at home!
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You'll find out more about Andrew's past exploits, including:
1. A daring and "strictly banned" experiment involving the explosive mixture of sodium hypophosphite and potassium chlorate at Latymer Upper School in 1966, resulting in a resounding detonation that reverberated through the entire building. The experiment aims to illustrate the stark contrast between this forbidden concoction and conventional black powder.
2. An unforgettable escapade in 1982, when he tossed sizable lumps of sodium down a drain in Exeter, later transformed into a demonstrative experiment involving the controlled use of sodium pieces submerged in a water-filled Perspex tube.
3. A spectacular chemistry lecture at Cambridge University in 2012, where a tennis ball fired from a mortar blasted a hole through the ceiling of the Myers Squibb Lecture theatre. This momentous event was part of a lecture titled "Fireworks and Waterworks."
4. A thrilling endeavour in 1981, when a mixture of acetylene and oxygen was detonated in a school playing field using a dustbin liner. The shockwave caused the windows of a nearby boarding house to shake, prompting the housemaster to investigate the aftermath, only to find a gaping crater.
5. A run-in with the authorities in Epping Forest in 1980, stemming from the conduct of oversized chemical conflagrations involving butane gas canisters, weedkiller, and sugar. This incident led to the development of a fascinating experiment that demonstrates the ignition of a mixture of icing sugar and potassium chlorate using a drop of concentrated sulphuric acid.
6. A shift in the trajectory of his demonstrations in 1990, when the headmaster of Highgate School banned explosive chemical displays. Inspired by a passionate pupil, Ian Cohen, who had an affinity for magic, Dr. Szydlo transitioned his explosive talks into "Flower Power" magic shows, delivering the same excitement on a grander scale.
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Andrew Szydlo is a chemist and secondary school teacher at Highgate School, well-loved by pupils and Ri attendees alike. He has given public lectures around the country, been featured on TV shows and has become a popular part of the Ri's RUclips channel in recent years, where his videos have over 16 million views in total.
During the past 40 years he has given over 500 talks, in addition to teaching chemistry full-time at Highgate School in London. Today he is still based at Highgate School, delivering chemistry lectures to local schools.
The Royal Society of Chemistry included Andrew as one of their 175 Faces of Chemistry.
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Discourses are one of the Ri’s oldest and most prestigious series of talks. Since 1825, audiences in the theatre have witnessed countless mind-expanding moments, including the first public liquefaction of air by James Dewar, the announcement of the electron by JJ Thomson and over 100 lectures by Michael Faraday. In more recent times, we have had Nobel laureates, Fields medal winners, scientists, authors and artists - all from the cutting-edge of their field. Discourses are an opportunity for the best and brightest to share their work with the world.
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"with Andrew Szydlo" my favorite part of any lecture title, his enthusiasm to teach children makes me feel like a child again myself!
RI, PLEASE NEVER STOP BRINGING ANDREW SZYDLO BACK, his love of science is infectious
He flagged the half of the audience. He discharged a weapon into the audience. I thought people would be smarter after Alec Baldwin :P
This guy was me. When I was kid chemistry sets had actual chemicals in them. Chemicals that actually kill you. Not just baking soda and vinegar.
still quite loquacious, lol.
he's gone insane and i love it
What a fantastic and humble teacher. The world needs more like him
Dr. Szydlos basement shenanigans were one of the few high points during the pandemic lockdown. Thank you for that.
Went to watch this live. A hugely entertaining evening - such a great lecturer.
I finished watching this lecture with the biggest smile on my face, 10/10.
Being Polish, I am proud of this awesome and brilliant teacher! Respect panie Andrzeju!
Mr Szydlo’s enthusiasm for the subject is undiminished, more than 40 years since he taught me. I also remember the Triumph Herald convertibles and the player piano he lovingly restored in the music dept.
It is so wonderful how Andrew Szydlo teaches! Thank you so much.
Such joy in science and making bangs. This absolutely made my day. Thank you RI and Mr Szydlo.
I love this guy!
I never tire of Watching Andrew Szydlo's RI Lectures. If only he had been my Chemistry teacher back in the day, my life may have taken a completely different direction. Probably the most entertaining Lecturer at the RI in my humble opinion. I am sure he is the inspiration of many of todays chemists and future students of chemistry.
Every Szydlo lecture is an absolute treasure! What a wonderful mixture of highly entertaining anecdotes and explosions. The cherry on top was seeing that he speaks better Dutch after having exchange students 40 years ago when I was a small child, than I do after living in The Netherlands the last 20 years.
Such a great professor he is! I wished I could have attended his lectures.
Reminded me of my favourite teachers at school who I learned most from. Thank you Andrew Szydlo. I wish there were more like you when I was a kid, in the 70's and 80's... I would have learned soo much more
If it's not two hours long I'll be disappointed.