Creating a plasma ball in a microwave

[jimi43]

Nitrogen Ti-Iodide aka Fulminate...

Technically not the same, but sufficiently similar for a cultural association. (NI3 versus Fulminate (CNO)). Yeah, geeky chemist, but it is what I did for a living for a decade and a bit.

Perhaps the common characteristic between interest in DIY and memories of childhood explosive escapades is that they both need awareness and management of risk.....

You are of course quite correct....the two that I mixed up....in both senses of the word were Nitrogen Tri-Iodide (with ammonia and iodine) and Fulminate of Mercury...with Mercury nitrate and nitric acid with alcohol....

Both are, I believe impact explosives...though I wouldn't be using the latter on dance floors!

The former is easier of course...not needing the concentrate nitric acid...which required "borrowing" some from the lab and it actually causes mothers to get angry. I know this because secreting the thick bottles in your new blazer pocket is not a particularly smart idea! :mrgreen:

Jim

 

[nanscombe]

And to think I nearly didn't read this thread.

It will probably split the readers into two camps, gigglers and googlers.

A) Those reminiscing and giggling at the antics.

B) Those googling for the terrorist hotline number.

I'm glad to say ... I'm a giggler.

Although I was probably born a little later as it was my dad that had similar stories. I just carried rifles, pistols and knives (all toys) around the streets with no fear of getting shot. The nearest I got to the above was unusual uses for Swan Vestas, without the wooden bits, and ring caps. :wink:

 

[whiskywill]

Has anybody tried a piece of wet celery in a microwave oven? It sparks, but why?

 

[No skills]

*Sigh* Missed out on the bomb making as a kid, mine was the first generation lost to computer games. Gives me another thing to put on daughters education tho.

 

[Tinbasher]

Has anybody tried a piece of wet celery in a microwave oven? It sparks, but why?

Greens are full of iron?