How To: Burn mercury thiocyanide, "the rock from Mars"

Students show how mercury thiocyanide or "rock from mars" burns. First and foremost, make sure you are outdoors and with a considerably large space. Spread a non-flammable material over the space you decide to work on and place a small fragment of the mercury thiocyanide in the center. Keeping a respectable distance from the "rock" touch the "rock" with a lighted match. Watch as a substance oozes out from the rock. Make sure that the process has ended or that no movement can be seen from the substance oozing out from the rock before cleaning up. These simple steps show how amazing it is to watch mercury thiocyanide burns. Do not attempt without adult supervision.