Want to Open a Gateway to Hell? All You Need Is Science
Todd Rigney
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According to countless movies and books I’ve watched and read over the years, the way to properly open a gateway to Hell is through incantations, ancient texts, and human sacrifices, among other things. The last thing you’d expect is for scientists to figure out a way to channel the world of the damned through chemical reactions. I feel like my whole life is a lie.
All joking aside, the following video explores what happens when you combine ammonium dichromate (the orange powder) with heat. According to IFL Science, “It forms nitrogen gas, water, and ammonium (III) oxide, which is the dark powder that looks like the volcano you see.” The end result is nothing short of fascinating, as you can see from the embedded video.
IFL Science explains things a bit more in-depth:
What appears to be tentacles is actually what happens when heat is introduced to mercury (II) thiocyanate. The white solid expands when it’s heated to become a dark, tentacle-like mass due to its decomposition to carbon nitride. In addition, sulfur dioxide and mercury (II) sulfide are also produced. The reaction is appropriately nicknamed the “Pharoah’s Serpent” and was sold in stores as fireworks until people realized it’s toxic.
Take a look at the video below for a pretty wicked example of science in motion.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRngPHRj0vA&w=640&h=360]
Categorized:News
