All Questions
Tagged with chemistry-in-fiction inorganic-chemistry
10
questions
9
votes
2
answers
871
views
Converting pyrite to iron sulfate
I was reading a Jules Verne book recently, in which the following chemical reaction was done:
He placed a layer of branches and chopped wood, on which were piled some pieces of shistose pyrites ... ...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
136
views
What is a material more easily cut than shattered? [closed]
I'm currently developing a sci-fi concept for animation which partially involves a typical "the earth has been overrun by XYZ" scenario.
One of the ideas for XYZ we're thinking of is a species of ...
- 121
-1
votes
1
answer
104
views
Does oxyhydrogen require the presence of water to ignite?
I recently read a short story (fiction) where a major plot element was based on the expectation that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen will not ignite unless some amount of water is present to get the ...
- 271
6
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Why is gunpowder urinated on in Blood Meridian?
An interesting section of Blood Meridian (1985) by Cormac McCarthy has the gang of "Indian fighters" surrounded and out of powder, so one of them manages to make it from scratch, making charcoal from ...
- 69
35
votes
9
answers
13k
views
Would it be possible to destroy gold?
I'm a writer. I have a scenario in which a sizable amount of gold needs to be rendered unusable, preferably completely destroyed. I know an acid like aqua regia is able to dissolve gold, but would ...
1
vote
0
answers
105
views
Results of mixing HSbF6 and O2F2
I'm an amateur writer and one of the topics I deal with is what happens when a slightly-mad scientist and engineer is given an opportunity to work with full-on “magic.” So there are situations where ...
1
vote
1
answer
465
views
Acid and Silicon [closed]
What kind of acid would I need to dissolve a silicone compound? Or perhaps silicon in its purest form? I am writing a novel so a layman's level answer would be appreciated.
- 19
1
vote
1
answer
190
views
What would an ammonium sulfide fire look like?
I am writing a novel and the climax involves killing my protagonist in an explosion. My science knowledge is poor but I believe my scenario is entirely plausible except possibly a couple of details.
...
4
votes
1
answer
368
views
Non-carbon based life forms on hot planets
I am writing a story with people made of elements other than carbon. A couple of planets in this series are really hot, so I need compounds with high melting points.
For example, there is a lone ...
- 49
4
votes
1
answer
130
views
Could a safe water ocean exist on a world with predominantly chlorine atmosphere?
I am researching for a Si-Fi book. Would a water ocean on a world with a predominantly chlorine ($\ce{Cl2}$) atmosphere be safe to touch? Would the chlorine over time saturate the water creating a "...
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