# Camping Chemistry

Part of the Chemistry Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/chemistry/guide/index.md)

*4. Chemistry & Camping*

> **4.** After successfully completing requirement 1, do TWO of the following:

Chemistry and camping go hand-in-hand in ways you might not expect. From keeping your gear dry to understanding how fires work, chemistry is at the heart of outdoor skills. For this requirement, you will choose **two** of the four options below.

- **Option a:** Compare waterproofing methods
- **Option b:** Fire classes and extinguishers
- **Option c:** Flame tests of elements
- **Option d:** Synthesize nylon

Read through all four options to decide which two interest you most, then dive deep into those.

---

### Option A: Waterproofing Experiment

> **4a.** Design and conduct an experiment to compare at least two different types of waterproofing. Discuss with your counselor which one you would prefer to use on your tent and which one you would prefer to use on your boots, and why.

Waterproofing is chemistry in action. There are several approaches, and each works through a different chemical mechanism:

**Silicone-based sprays** coat fibers with a thin layer of silicone, a polymer that repels water. They are lightweight and breathable but may need reapplication.

**Wax-based treatments** fill the gaps between fabric fibers with wax, creating a physical barrier. They are durable but can reduce breathability and add weight.

**Fluoropolymer treatments (DWR)** use fluorine-based compounds to lower the surface energy of the fabric so water beads up and rolls off. Most factory waterproofing on jackets and tents uses this technology.

**Oil-based treatments** (like linseed oil) saturate the fabric, making it water-resistant. Traditional but heavy and can change the fabric's feel.

> **Tip**
>
> For your experiment, cut identical swatches of fabric (old cotton T-shirt material works well). Treat each swatch with a different waterproofing method, leave one untreated as a control, and then test them all the same way — pour the same amount of water on each and measure how much soaks through. Photograph your results.

**For your counselor discussion:** Tents need breathability so moisture from your breath does not condense inside — silicone sprays are a great choice. Boots need durability and full water blockage — wax treatments hold up better under heavy use and mud.

Video: [Waterproofing Fabrics](https://youtu.be/y83uXupu5tY)

---

### Option B: Fire Classes and Extinguishers

> **4b.** Describe the four classes of fires, and the four classes of fire extinguishers. Discuss with your counselor how sand, baking soda, and the four classes of extinguishers work to put out fires.

Fire needs three things to burn — heat, fuel, and oxygen. This is called the **fire triangle**. Fire extinguishers work by removing one or more of these elements.

#### The Four Classes of Fire

| Class | Fuel Type | Examples | Icon |
|---|---|---|---|
| **A** | Ordinary combustibles | Wood, paper, cloth, trash | Green triangle |
| **B** | Flammable liquids | Gasoline, oil, grease, paint | Red square |
| **C** | Electrical equipment | Wiring, outlets, appliances | Blue circle |
| **D** | Combustible metals | Magnesium, titanium, sodium | Yellow star |

> **Safety First!**
>
> Never use water on a Class B (grease/oil) fire — water can cause the burning oil to splatter and spread the fire explosively. Never use water on a Class C (electrical) fire — water conducts electricity and you could be electrocuted. If you ever see a fire you cannot safely extinguish, evacuate immediately and call 911.

#### How Extinguishers Work

| Extinguisher Type | Works On | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| **Water** | Class A | Cools the fuel below ignition temperature (removes heat) |
| **CO₂ (carbon dioxide)** | Class B, C | Displaces oxygen around the fire (removes oxygen) |
| **Dry chemical (ABC)** | Class A, B, C | Coats the fuel with a powder that interrupts the chemical reaction |
| **Class D powder** | Class D | Smothers the metal fire with a special powder that does not react with the burning metal |

**Sand** works by smothering — it covers the fuel and cuts off the oxygen supply. **Baking soda** (sodium bicarbonate) works in two ways: it smothers the fire like sand, and when heated, it releases CO₂ gas, which further displaces oxygen.

![The fire triangle showing heat, fuel, and oxygen, with arrows indicating how different extinguishers remove each element](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/chemistry/guide/fire-triangle-diagram?v=00dc371b)

Video: [How to Distinguish Between the Different Classes of Fire](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8PrA_AOa6w)

---

### Option C: Flame Tests

> **4c.** Under your counselor's supervision and/or the supervision of a knowledgeable adult approved in advance by your counselor, conduct flame tests of at least five elements using a kitchen or propane torch.

Flame tests are one of the most visually stunning experiments in chemistry. When certain elements are heated in a flame, they emit light at specific wavelengths — producing distinctive, beautiful colors. This is the same principle behind fireworks.

#### Why Elements Produce Colors

When an atom absorbs heat energy, its electrons jump to a higher energy level (an "excited state"). When those electrons fall back to their normal energy level, they release the extra energy as light. The color of that light depends on the element, because each element has a unique arrangement of electron energy levels.

#### Common Flame Test Colors

| Element | Compound to Use | Flame Color |
|---|---|---|
| **Lithium** | Lithium chloride | Crimson red |
| **Sodium** | Table salt (NaCl) | Bright yellow/orange |
| **Potassium** | Salt substitute (KCl) | Light violet/lilac |
| **Copper** | Copper sulfate | Blue-green |
| **Calcium** | Calcium chloride (ice melt) | Orange-red |
| **Strontium** | Strontium chloride | Bright red |
| **Barium** | Barium chloride | Yellow-green |

> **Safety First!**
>
> Flame tests require an open flame and must be done under adult supervision. Work in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable materials. Wear safety goggles and tie back long hair. Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand nearby. Never leave the torch unattended.

> **Did You Know?**
>
> The colors you see in fireworks come from the exact same chemistry as flame tests. Strontium compounds produce red, barium produces green, copper produces blue, and sodium produces gold. Fireworks engineers are essentially performing flame tests on a massive scale.

Video: [The Flame Test Experiment](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hC-KyFraCQ)

---

### Option D: Synthesize Nylon

> **4d.** Under your counselor's supervision and/or the supervision of a knowledgeable adult approved in advance by your counselor, synthesize nylon (may be from a kit).

Nylon was the first commercially successful synthetic polymer, invented by Wallace Carothers at DuPont in 1935. Making nylon from its raw chemicals is called the **nylon rope trick** because you literally pull a continuous strand of nylon from a beaker — it looks like magic, but it is pure chemistry.

#### How Nylon Synthesis Works

Nylon is formed through a **condensation reaction** between two chemicals:
- **Hexamethylenediamine** (a diamine — a molecule with two amine groups)
- **Adipoyl chloride** or **sebacoyl chloride** (a diacid chloride)

When these two liquids meet, they react at the interface (the boundary between the two layers) to form a thin film of nylon polymer. You can grab the film with tweezers or a glass rod and slowly pull it upward, drawing out a continuous strand of nylon fiber.

> **Tip**
>
> Nylon synthesis kits are available online and contain pre-measured, safer amounts of the chemicals needed. Using a kit is the recommended approach. Ask your counselor or a chemistry teacher for help obtaining one. Some science museums and university chemistry departments also host demonstrations.

#### Nylon in Camping

Nylon is everywhere in outdoor gear:
- **Tents** — Nylon fabric is lightweight, strong, and water-resistant
- **Backpack straps** — Nylon webbing is tough and does not stretch
- **Rope and cord** — Paracord and climbing rope are made from nylon
- **Sleeping bag shells** — Nylon is packable and durable

By synthesizing nylon yourself, you are creating the same type of material used in the gear that keeps you safe and comfortable in the backcountry.

Video: [Nylon Synthesis Chemistry Demo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQpTQFGKRN8)

---

[NFPA — Fire Extinguisher Types](https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home/safety-tips/fire-safety-equipment/fire-extinguishers): National Fire Protection Association guide to fire extinguisher types and proper use.

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