Dangerous Chemicals?

Question

I'm working on a war book, historic fiction, but I don't know very many dangerous chemicals, because the book is about a girl who is really and dangerously educated in Nucular Weapons! I dont' know any dangerous chemicals though........... Please list some!

Answer 1

And yes, I did type this all by hand!

Nuclear is by its definition not chemical. Here are some dangerous things in terms of chemistry and nuclear things:

A) Nuclear:

There are three main types of weapon, the first is simply a device that throws together lots of U-235 each lump just below critical mass, and in the geometric alignment, to make the very famous Hiroshima bomb.

(Critical mass explained here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_mass )

The second type of nuclear weapon is a plutonium bomb, where weapons-grade plutonium metal is compressed by normal explosives until it reaches a certain density, when it goes boom. This is the kind of weapon that was dropped on Nagasaki, and it is from about 3-75 times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb.

(More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=plutonium+bomb )

Both of those are 'fission' or atom-splitting reactions. They both produce a lot of nuclear waste/contamination.

The third and most dangerous and powerful type is the Hydrogen Bomb. It features a special isotope of Hydrogen that does not need the sun's temperature to start a fusion reaction. It still needs a lot of pressure and temperature, so it is set off by a normal nuclear weapon (see U-235 device, above).


It releases far more energy, about 2275 as much as the Hiroshima bomb IIRC.

B) For chemical weapons:
1) Mustard gas. (Chlorine gas) Heavier than air, floats down into trenches and things. Severe irritant in even slight quantities. Smells like bleach.

2) Flourine gas. This and a compound of it are the only two things that can burn through glass chemically. Extremely dangerous. A lighter-than-air and faster reacting version of mustard gas. (Will still kill ground level targets)

3) Phosgene. As deadly as mustard gas, but a much more stealthy weapon. Almost all toxic gasses smell distinctly and badly, but phosgene smells of new-mown hay, and thus people don't put on gas masks.

All these are banned by the Geneva convention, and no, I will not tell you how to make phosgene.

The others, sure, because you can't get the ingredients. :)

Answer 2

Dangerous how? Explosive? How about nitrogycerine, tri-nitro-toluene, and others. Corrosive? Sulphuric, Nitric, Hydrocholric acid, Sodium/Lithium/Potassium Hydroxide; fluorine/chlorine/bromine gas. Causing burns? Phosphorous, Sodium, Potassium. Radioactive? Radium, Uranium, Plutonium
Poisonous? Arsenic, Lead, other heavy metals. This is only a partial list.

Answer 3

nitroglycerin...I came close of trying to make it when in high school after doing extensive research. Luckily, we 'chickened' out, otherwise the best case scenario of my current prospect would be eating through a straw for life and typing with my feet. Going to the bathroom would be a real problem without any assistance.....Wiper!!!!