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From: ee163acp@sdcc13.UUCP (DARIN JOHNSON)
Newsgroups: net.rec
Subject: Re: Blowing things up
Message-ID: <180@sdcc13.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Mar-85 01:41:58 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcc13.180
Posted: Fri Mar 22 01:41:58 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Mar-85 04:14:59 EST
References: <579@unmvax.UUCP> <101600001@hplabs.UUCP> <339@ihu1m.UUCP>
Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center
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> Iodine is much more soluble in a solution of KI (or NaI, etc),
> so add the I2 crystals to a weak KI solution first, then add the NH4OH.
> Keep the precipitate moist until you're ready to use it.

I had forgotten this addition, and couldn't remember what is was.  As a
kid, I had NaI as a medicine (ack!).  I kept trying to make this
tri nitro iodide stuff and I could never get it to dissolve well.  Any
way, someone said to use NaI, so I did.  It worked.  However, when it
was about dry, I poured the semi-moist crystals onto some filter paper.
Since it didn't pour too well, I gave a minute tap with my little
finger.  Needless to say, It went off (Since none of the other methods I
tried ever worked, I had fewer precautions then necessary).  The little
pieces of the plastic bottle missed me, however, my face was completely
black.  I thought I had gone blind until I took my glasses off.  This
gave me the appearance of something out of Gilligan's Island.  My
brother ran out and while I was sitting there in a daze, he started
laughing (some brother huh?).  Anyway, It took a while to clean my face
off, and even then there were little bits of crystals embedded that took
a week to get rid of.  The moral is:  never expirement by yourselves
without knowing what will happen (I thought it was supposed to give
little pops).  Had I made a little more, I suppose my brother would have
had to find a convenient story to tell my parent's.

Oh well, just had to say something....

  Darin Johnson.