Editing Methanol Cannon (section)

===Short Explanation===
Methanol is a simple alcohol, and like all alcohols it is volatile. ''Volatile'' means that it will quickly vaporize while in the open, even if it isn't warm enough to boil. Alcohols are also very flammable, and release a lot of energy when they burn. This reaction only uses 5 mL of methanol, or about a tablespoon, and we still get a very big flame and a very loud whoosh when we light it! The flame we see is blue because of how hot this reaction is, and the reaction itself is a "clean" combustion reaction, since it only produces water, carbon dioxide and heat!

An interesting additional fact about this reaction is the shape the fire has while burning. Some students might notice that the fire inside the jug is swirling. This happens because of two things: the hot air inside rushing out, and the cool, oxygen rich air rushing in. The air rushing out creates a ''Vortex'', or the "whirlpool" shape, to allow air to rush in and keep the reaction going!