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Molotov Cocktails

One of the simplest incendiary devices invented, The Molotov cocktail
is now employed in the defense of oppressed people worldwide. They range
in complexity from the simple bottle and rag to complicated self-igniting
firebombs, but in any form a molotov cocktail can produce devastating
results.

By taking any highly flammable material, such as gasoline, diesel
fuel, kerosene, ethyl or methyl alcohol, lighter fluid, turpentine, or any
mixture of the above, and putting it into a large glass bottle, anyone can
make an effective firebomb. After putting the flammable liquid in the
bottle, simply put a piece of cloth that is soaked in the liquid in the top
of the bottle so that it fits tightly.

Then, wrap some of the cloth around the neck and tie it, but be sure
to leave a few inches of lose cloth to light. Light the exposed cloth, and
throw the bottle. If the burning cloth does not go out, and if the bottle
breaks on impact, the contents of the bottle will spatter over a large area
near the site of impact, and burst into flame.

Flammable mixtures such as kerosene and motor oil should be mixed with
a more volatile and flammable liquid, such as gasoline, to insure ignition.
A mixture such as tar or grease and gasoline will stick to the surface that
it strikes, burn hotter and longer, and be more difficult to extinguish. A
a bottle contain a mixture of different fuels must be shaken well before it
is lit and thrown.

Other interesting additives can include alcohol, acetone or other
solvents, which will generally thin the contents and possibly increase the
size of the fireball. By adding a gelling agent such as disk soap,
polystyrene, or other material the flaming material can be made sticky
enough that it will adhere to a vertical surface, such as a wall or the side
of a vehicle.

Et voila

Dry Ice Bombs

Dry ice bombs have been discovered and rediscovered by many different
people, and there is no sure way to know who first came up with the idea of
putting dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) into an empty plastic soda bottle.
There is no standard formula for a dry ice bomb, however a generic form is
as follows:

Take a 2-liter soda bottle, empty it completely, then add about 3/4
Lb of dry ice (crushed works best) and (optional) a quantity of water. twist
cap on tightly, and get as far away from it as possible.

Depending on the condition of the bottle, the weather, and the amount
and temperature of the water added, the bottle may go off anywhere from 30
seconds to 5 minutes from when it was capped. Without any water added, the
2-liter bottles generally take from 3 to 7 minutes if dropped into a warm
river, and 45 minutes to 1½ hours in open air. It is possible for the
bottle to reach an extreme pressure without reaching the bursting point, in
which case any contact with the bottle would cause it to explode. This
effect has resulted in several injuries, and is difficult to reliably
reproduce.

The explosion sounds equivalent to an M-100, and usually results in
the bottle breaking into several large, sharp pieces of frozen plastic, with
the most dangerous projectile being the top section with the screw-on cap.
Plastic 16 oz. soda bottles and 1 liter bottles work almost as well as do
the 2-liters, however glass bottles aren't nearly as loud, and can produce
dangerous shrapnel.

Using anything other than plastic to contain dry ice bombs is
suicidal. Even plastic 2-liter bottles can produce some nasty shrapnel: One
source tells me that he caused an explosion with a 2-liter bottle that
destroyed a metal garbage can. Because of the freezing temperatures, the
plastic can become very hard and brittle, and when the bottle ruptures it
may spray shards of sharp, frozen plastic. While plastic bottles can be
dangerous, glass bottles may be deadly. It is rumored that several kids have
been killed by shards of glass resulting from the use of a glass bottle.

For some reason, dry ice bombs have become very popular in the state
of Utah. As a result, dry ice bombs have been classified as infernal
devices, and in utah possession of a completed bomb is a criminal offense.
Most other states do not have specific laws on the books outlawing these
devices. There are several generic offenses which you could be charged with,
including disturbing the peace, reckless endangerment, destruction of
property, and construction of a nefarious device.

It is interesting to note that dry ice bombs are not really
pyrotechnic devices. As the carbon dioxide sublimes into it's gaseous state,
the pressure inside the bottle increases. When the bottle ruptures, the gas
is released. This sudden release of pressure causes the temperature of the
gases to drop. It is noticed that right after detonation, a cloud of white
vapor appears. This may be the water vapor in the surrounding air suddenly
condensing when it contacts the freezing cold gas.

Almost any reaction that produces large amounts of gas from a much
smaller volume can be used. One common variation is the use of Drano*
crystals and shredded aluminum foil. When water is added the Drano, which
is mainly lye (an extremely caustic substance), dissolves in the water and
reacts with the aluminum, producing heat and hydrogen gas. If the heat
doesn't melt the bottle the pressure will eventually cause it to rupture,
spraying caustic liquid and releasing a large quantity of (flammable)
hydrogen gas, as well as some water vapor.

Another interesting reaction is adding managanese dioxide to hydrogen
peroxide. The manganese dioxide is a catalyst that allows the hydrogen
peroxide to release the extra oxygen atom, yielding free oxygen and water:

2H2O2 + MgO2 2H2O +O2 + MgO2


It may be possible to combine the drain opener reaction with the
hydrogen peroxide reaction, yielding heat, oxygen, and hydrogen. When mixed
in the proper proportion these three components can yield a very powerful
explosion from the violently exothermic reaction of the hydrogen and oxygen.
Preliminary experiments have shown that the drain opener reaction tends to
proceed much more quickly than the peroxide reaction, and it often produces
enough excess heat to cause the bottle to rupture prematurely.

Another possible reaction is pool chlorine tablets (usually calcium
hypochlorite) and household ammonia. This reaction produces poisonous
chlorine gas. Baking soda and vinegar have been tried, but the reaction seems
to become inhibited by the rising pressure.

There are also many variations possible when using dry ice. If a
bottle that is not dissolved by acetone (such as most 2-L soda bottles) is
used, the curshed dry ice can be mixed with acetone. This will greatly speed
up the reaction, since unlike water, acetone remains a liquid at very low
temperatures. One hazard (benefit?) of adding acetone is that the rupturing
bottle will spray cold acetone around in liquid form. This can be very
hazardous, since acetone is a very powerful solvent, and is extremely
flammable.

Hey D

That's an ace one. My dad used to make that when he was at school. They wouldn't let us do it when I tried to do it as a science project at school though. How times change.

Cool. I'm going to make loads of this stuff when I move out of London.

L.R.

No. As in school school. Like when he was 14/15. That's what happens if you go to a posh private school.

Yes please.

Also, how might one hypothetically get hold of Iodine crystals and 20% ammonia?

Hypothetically speaking, of course, my g/f's sister can get hold of any of the above ingredients.

Good job I would never ever dream of constructing explosive devices for childish amusement then eh?