Oxygen Preparation from Sodium Peroxide: A Dangerous Experiment

A few days ago oxygen was prepared in the course of a lecture experiment by allowing water from a drop funnel to fall upon some ordinary sodium peroxide (not specially purified) in a flask. On applying a glowing splint there was an immediate and terrific explosion, which was heard throughout the Department and was regarded by those in the more remote rooms as a student's reminder that November 5 was not far distant. The flask was entirely pulverised and the demonstrator was badly cut with flying glass. Fortunately, no students were injured.