How did you get into science

[Mountainmike]

Trying to make nitrogen triiodide? If all went well, you got an alcohol solution of triiodide that when painted on locker handles, would go off with a sharp pop and a purple cloud. More or less harmless in small amounts.

A couple of years Later when we knew what we were doing we made the crystals and put them where the chemistry master always slammed his brief case down.
It made him jump!

 

[Mountainmike]

I got into the residue left behind after burning the matchbox striker material (white phosphorus).

When a couple of fingers were dipped into it and rubbed together, puffs of white smoke emerged from the fingertips.
(Apparently they also glow in the dark .. but I never conducted this mad experiment in the dark!)

Tell ya .. the smell it gave off was enough to make one spontaneously throw up!!

We were born in the days you could also buy magnesium strip! Bet you cant now!

 

[Bradskii]

We were born in the days you could also buy magnesium strip! Bet you cant now!

Amazon.com

 

[Mountainmike]

Amazon.com

It seems safety madness is not everywhere then!
There is hope.

 

[SelfSim]

We were born in the days you could also buy magnesium strip! Bet you cant now!

I used to cut up strips of it and mixed it into my dodgy concoction of potassium chlorate, sulphur and carbon powder .. (all done in my quest produce my own spectacular fireworks).
The potassium chlorate worked best when it was ground with the sulphur in a mortar and pestle, which also produced an impressive display of sparks as it was being ground!

I don't know how I survived unscathed during those days of unconstrained alchemy!

 

[The Barbarian]

We were born in the days you could also buy magnesium strip! Bet you cant now!

Wait. What? How do kids set off thermite bombs today?

 

[The Barbarian]

Just looked at the link:

There's all you need to make a thermite bomb. Hot enough to melt steel. Should someone tell Amazon? I mean, I would have thought this wonderful when I was in jr. high. We thought it was wise to get this stuff in different places, just in case.

 

[The Barbarian]

I don't know how I survived unscathed during those days of unconstrained alchemy!

More than once, I was glad I wore lab goggles. Hint: if you pack stuff like that in glass tubes, don't try to seal the tube in a flame.

 

[The Barbarian]

Ah, just noted that it's aluminum oxide, not powdered aluminum. Won't work with aluminum oxide.

 

[SelfSim]

More than once, I was glad I wore lab goggles. Hint: if you pack stuff like that in glass tubes, don't try to seal the tube in a flame.

I used to manufacture largish quantities of Hydrogen gas in our garage by electrolysis of a mixture of sulphuric acid diluted by water. It ran over periods of days, (unattended). The aim was to collect the hydrogen into a plastic bag, release it as a ballon and then shoot it down with a burning arrow!

 

[The Barbarian]

I used to manufacture largish quantities of Hydrogen gas in our garage by electrolysis of a mixture of sulphuric acid diluted by water. It ran over periods of days, (unattended). The aim was to collect the hydrogen into a plastic bag, release it as a ballon and then shoot it down with a burning arrow!

My kinda guy. I once got four helium balloons and filled one more by reacting zinc with battery acid. Then I gave my little brother a burning stick and asked him to pop each one of them with the flame. Very satisfying bang on the fifth one. Paid for that one, later.

 

[The Barbarian]

Once I wanted to make a really red firework. Got some lithium salt, used some other chemicals, and tried it out on an upstairs balcony. It was amazing. Problem was, Dad was downstairs in the kitchen, ran outside and thought the upper floor was on fire. Had to move my chemistry stuff to the garden lot after that. Later he laughed about it. Not that night, though.

 

[SelfSim]

My kinda guy. I once got four helium balloons and filled one more by reacting zinc with battery acid. Then I gave my little brother a burning stick and asked him to pop each one of them with the flame. Very satisfying bang on the fifth one. Paid for that one, later.

Such a barbaric act!!!

I once blew up the neighbour's letterbox with one of my higher grade explosives!
(I was compelled to apologize .. they deserved it though!).

 

[Mountainmike]

Once I wanted to make a really red firework. Got some lithium salt, used some other chemicals, and tried it out on an upstairs balcony. It was amazing. Problem was, Dad was downstairs in the kitchen, ran outside and thought the upper floor was on fire. Had to move my chemistry stuff to the garden lot after that. Later he laughed about it. Not that night, though.

Love it.

Strontium was my red firework colour.

 

[The Barbarian]

Such a barbaric act!!!

I once blew up the neighbour's letterbox with one of my higher grade explosives!
(I was compelled to apologize .. they deserved it though!).

In the U.S., blowing up a mailbox is a federal crime with really severe punishments.

Whoever willfully or maliciously injures, tears down or destroys any letter box or other receptacle intended or used for the receipt or delivery of mail on any mail route, or breaks open the same or willfully or maliciously injures, defaces or destroys any mail deposited therein, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

 

[SelfSim]

In the U.S., blowing up a mailbox is a federal crime with really severe punishments.

Whoever willfully or maliciously injures, tears down or destroys any letter box or other receptacle intended or used for the receipt or delivery of mail on any mail route, or breaks open the same or willfully or maliciously injures, defaces or destroys any mail deposited therein, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

(Hmm .. I guess the apology must've worked then ..).