spaiku: (science FTW)
spaiku ([personal profile] spaiku) wrote2009-11-06 12:11 am

chemistry, how i love thee

let me count the ways. most recently: triacetone triperoxide, an explosive, has the common name "Mother of Satan" because of how fucking unstable it is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triacetone_triperoxide

"It is one of the few explosives which remain explosive when wet or kept underwater."

"TCAP generally burns when ignited, unconfined, in quantities less than about 2 grams. More than 2 grams will usually detonate when ignited; smaller quantities might detonate when even slightly confined. Completely dry TCAP is much more prone to detonation than the fresh product still wetted with water or acetone."

YES.