How do liquid explosives work, and what would terrorists do with them on a plane?

Answer 1

Most explosives work in basically the same way. They burn or decompose very quickly, producing lots of heat and gas, which rapidly expands and can tear things apart. Usually, an explosive material requires some kind of stimulus, like heat or shock energy, to get the process started. You can learn more about different types of explosives in How Bombs Work.

Many people don't think of explosives as liquids, though. Most of us imagine them as solids, like gunpowder or C-4. But you've probably heard of one liquid explosive already -- nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin was invented in 1847, and it's made by adding acids to glycerin. Since exposure to it dilates people's blood vessels, it's used as a medical treatment for angina pectoris, or heart pain.

Nitroglycerin is made of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen. A physical shock can start a chain reaction that breaks its molecules down into carbon dioxide, water and oxygen. The breaking of the bonds between the atoms releases an enormous amount of energy in a very short amount of time.

Nitroglycerin is a component in some relatively stable solid explosives, like dynamite. But as a liquid, it's extremely dangerous and volatile. You typically have to use a blasting cap to detonate a stick of dynamite, but you can accidentally trigger a nitroglycerin explosion with a physical shock. It doesn't blow up at the slightest movement as depicted in some movies and TV shows, but you can detonate it by hitting it.

Nitroglycerin is oily and clear, so if you poured some into an opaque lotion bottle, no one but you would know what was really inside. However, nitroglycerin's inherent instability would make this bottle very dangerous for you to carry around.

The attackers most likely did not plan to use nitroglycerin, but the liquid explosives they chose probably had similar chemical properties. Like nitroglycerin, most liquid explosives are made of unstable molecules. These complex molecules break down into ordinary, stable molecules when exposed to the right stimulus. Even a very minor shock can start the process, and since it involves the breaking of atomic bonds, it releases enormous amounts of energy.

The terrorists most likely intended to remove the explosives from their carry-on luggage and detonate them while the planes were over the Atlantic Ocean. They may have planned to use explosives that require the mixing of two different liquids in order to start the reaction. Unnamed sources have stated that the attackers planned to mix a liquid dyed to resemble a sports drink with a peroxide gel to create an explosive substance.

According to other sources, the attackers intended to use triacetone triperoxide, which can be made from readily available substances like hydrogen peroxide, acetone and acid. Like nitroglycerin, triacetone triperoxide molecules are made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. When it explodes, it breaks down into large amounts of ozone and acetone.

Regardless of which exact substance the attackers planned to use, the liquid nature of the explosives would have been central to the plot for two reasons:

Liquid explosives are very volatile, so the attackers would not necessarily need elaborate or powerful detonators to start the explosion. Without as much material to smuggle on board, the attackers would be less likely to attract the attention of airport security. In the case of the August 2006 plot, unnamed officials speculated that the attackers planned to use cell phones or MP3 players as detonators.

Smuggling a liquid onto an airplane would not be very difficult. The attackers may have planned to use ordinary bottles made for hair gel, shampoo, lotion or other liquids and gels. Under typical circumstances, airport security probably would not question items like these.

Answer 2

The long answer above on liquid explosives has some interesting points, but DO NOT take this as authoritative technical information. It appears to have been taken from some online sites, probably verbatim, and is riddled with technical errors and erroneous statements.

Examples:

1.QUOTE: Nitroglycerin was invented in 1847, and it's made by adding acids to glycerin. FACT: NO NO NO - good way to cause an explosion. There are two ways to make NG. In one (older batch process), glycerin is premixed with fuming sulfuric and cooled; then added to nitric. In modern continuous process, glycerin is added to a 50/50 mixture of the strong acids. Adding acids to glycerin makes BOOM.

2 QUOTE: Nitroglycerin is a component in some relatively stable solid explosives, like dynamite. But as a liquid, it's extremely dangerous and volatile. FACT: The vapor pressure of NG at 20 degrees C is 0.03 Pa. That is NOT volatile. NG does not readily vaporize.

3. QUOTE: Like nitroglycerin, triacetone triperoxide molecules are made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. FACT: Two points here. First, what happened to the nitrogen in NG? Just forget about it? Second: So? C, H, and O - two of my favorite things are made from C, H, and O. One is glucose -sugar. I prefer it mixed with cacao beans. I'm a sucker for good chocolate. The other is ethanol - ethyl alcohol. That I prefer from Scotland, well aged. Chivas Regal is a favorite brand.

4. QUOTE:When it explodes, it breaks down into large amounts of ozone and acetone. FACT: Fat chance.

There are more, but you get the idea. This does nothing to understate the potential danger of liquid explosives on planes, trains, etc. They would almost certainly be "two packs" - two chemicals, individually harmless, but explosive when mixed. I will defer from giving any 'how to's' on making these work.

However, erroneous pseudo-technical responses such as this cause a disservice to those who frequent this site.

Answer 3

A terrorist is labelled by the cause he acts for. Was the Agentinian boy a terrorist for the cause of spreading Christianity? If so, then we can call him a 'Christian terrorist'. Islamic terrorists have openly stated that they want to convert the world to Islam and impose Shariat on everyone. Therefore they are are 'Islamic terrorists', not just because they are Muslim.

Answer 4

I feel no compulsion to tell you because you sound like a terrorist; sorry.

Answer 5

You must be careful of posting such question!

Answer 6

what do r plan to do??

Answer 7

i don't unserstand

Answer 8

why ??