Chemistry & Science
Experiments

Strobe Pots

Strobe Pots are
small containers that contain a Strobe Mixture that flashes on & off when
lit
The Bright White Strobe Mix is an easy to make and very entertaining
formula.
It will strobe brightly even when made into small pea-sized pieces.

BRIGHT WHITE
STROBE

Barium
Nitrate

51
%

Potassium
Nitrate

7
%

Sulfur

19
%

Magnalium
60 to100
mesh

18
%

Dextrin

5
%

Comments:

Grind the
Barium Nitrate and Potassium Nitrate into a fine powder that resembles
Talcum powder.
Mix the Nitrates with the other chemicals and pass the
mixture through a fine screen to break up any lumps. Put the mixture in a
zip-loc plastic baggie and shake well.
Add just a small amount of water
to the mix... a little at a time until it will just begin to stick
together when squeezed between your fingers. Be very careful not to add
too much water and shake & knead the mixture in the baggie each time
you add a bit of water to make sure it is all absorbed.
Once it is damp
enough to hold together, you can test some by squeezing a pea-sized piece
between your fingers. You can take the small piece outside and light it
and it will flash brightly.
Strobe Mix will light even if it is a
little damp.
It is sometimes difficult to light (especially when damp).
If you have one, the best way to light a tiny test sample of it is with a
propane torch.
The damp composition can be pressed into small
thimble-sized paper cups made by rolling up a sheet of paper, After you
press in the composition, insert a 2" length of Visco Safety Fuse and
press the composition around it. When the mixture dries (usually in a
couple of days), it will become rack hard and light easily with a fuse.
The Magnalium in the formula is a special Magnesium & Aluminum alloy
that makes the mixture flash so
brightly.