In the video experiment, Thompson melted down potassium chlorate that he got from a pyrotechnics store. Uploaded just yesterday, the video already has well over 661k views.

The experiment started off with concentrated bleach containing 8.25% sodium hypochlorite. He needed sodium chlorate so a hot plate was used to boil the bleach until crystals started to form.

But, it turns out that Potassium Chlorate and Sodium Chlorate which can be prepared from table salt will work equally. It’s quite a bit more involved than that however.

The reaction of white phosphorus with potassium chlorate, for instance, is a violent and potent one, and blowing up a metal pound coin shows what that reaction can do.

Potassium chlorate is used legally in Pakistan in the manufacturing of matches and textiles. There are 390 textile mills and 50 factories that make matches there, JIEDDO records show.

In such devices, oxidizing agents like potassium chlorate or perchlorate supply oxygen for combustion, while carbon-rich compounds like anthracene or lactose produce the actual smoke.

2) Potassium Chlorate and gummy bears Potassium chlorate is a very effective oxidizing agent, which means it’s really good at snatching electrons from other reactants in what’s called a redox ...

Delicious science is on display tonight as a “poor gummy bear” gets the potassium chlorate treatment on Street Science, the Science Channel show that puts the fun into chemistry experiments ...

Chemists know that potassium chlorate is a powerful oxidizer. They also know that oxygen plus heat and fuel equals fire. Melt the oxygen-supplying chemical, drop in some candy, and a fantastic ...

This article was originally published with the title “The Electrolytic Preparation of Chlorate of Potassium” in SA Supplements Vol. 32 No. 814supp (August 1891), p. 13005 doi:10.1038 ...