Instead, it is a complex salt that consists of ammonium (NH3 +), nitrate (NO3 –), and Chloride (Cl –) ions. However, modern chemists have uncovered that what was called gold fulminate wasn’t actually a fulminate at all, as it doesn’t have the CNO – group. These powders were used as a source of entertainment and also as ammunition during war, especially fulminating gold. In fact, that is where the name fulminate was derived from, as fulmen in Latin means thunderbolt. The explosions felt almost like a thunderbolt. The resultant powder would explode at the slightest friction or heat. The precipitate obtained was then carefully dried (in the absence of heat or light). Salts of these metals (carbonates or chlorides) were dissolved in ammonia. Alchemists like Cornelius Drebbel and Johann Krunckel figured out that metals like silver or mercury, when mixed with spiritus vini (ethanol ) and aqua fortis (nitric acid), gave rise to an explosive concoction.ĭuring the later half of the 18 th century, chemists mastered the art of making fulminating platinum, silver, and gold. The chronicle of fulminated mercury dates back to the days of alchemy in the 17 th century.
Now, let’s explore the history and try to understand the chemistry behind this eruptive compound. As a result, they form a neutral, but very explosive compound with the chemical formula (Hg(CNO) 2) The -1 charge (due to an excess electron) on each of the two CNO – units compensate for Hg’s loss of two electrons (the +2 charge on Hg). In Mercury (II) Fulminate, one unit of mercury ion (Hg 2+, hence the II after mercury) combines with two units of fulminate ions (CNO –). Mercury(II) Fulminate, as the name suggests is an ionic compound formed between mercury and fulminate ions. However, is the chemistry of that scene real or just fictional Hollywood science? This is the now-legendary show where a chemistry teacher-turned-criminal uses this substance to scare a drug dealer and get out of a dangerous situations. Recently in an action-adventure game, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, it also made an impactful appearance, but it reached stardom due to its appearance in “ Breaking Bad”. It has gained some screen time in shows like Law and Order and Burn Notice. When asked what the crystal really was, he replies “fulminated mercury, a little tweak of chemistry.”įulminated mercury or Mercury Fulminate is a pop culture favorite when it comes to a quickly improvised explosive that can be cooked in a lab or a basement. It leaves behind shards of flying glass and people with ringing ears. He then slams it on the floor and kaboom! A plume of dust and fire explodes out of the room through the glass window. He holds it in his hand, looks at the drug dealer, and says “This is not meth”.
Walter White carefully picks up the white crystal from the table.
Fulminated mercury tv#
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