How to Make a Smoke Screen
Smoke screens are a military invention used to move troops, equipment or artillery without allowing the enemy to see those movements. They're also used for special effects in television shows and movies and make great experiments. Whether you're aiming for a parlor trick or a chemistry experiment, there are a few ways to make smoke screens.
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Things You'll Need
- Tub
- Water
- Mitts
- Dry ice
- Ladle (optional)
- Gas mask
- Goggles
- Hydrochloric acid
- Ammonia
Instructions
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Make Casual Smoke Screens
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1
Pour the water in the tub.
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2
Put the dry ice in the water, using mitts to protect your hands.
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3
Mix the water and dry ice or use a ladle to spoon the water over it. In the tub, the water (H2O) combines with the dry ice (CO2) to make carbonic acid (H2CO3).
Make MacGyver's Smoke Screen
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4
Put on the gas mask and goggles. The fumes from this reaction are toxic so be sure to wear your safety equipment and perform the experiment in a well ventilated area.
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5
Pour a small amount of ammonia into the tub.
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6
Add some hydrochloric acid and stand back until the reaction is finished. In the reaction, the ammonia (NH3) combines with the hydrochloric acid (HCl) to create ammonium chloride (NH4Cl).
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can also create this experiment by inserting the end of the straw of a pressurized dust can into the water and pushing the lever. The gas released from the can is carbon dioxide under pressure, and bubbles the water with H2CO3 gas. This creates the smoke screen on the surface of the water. Watch the Metacafe website homemade clouds or smoke screen video to see this process.
Dry ice burns. Wear the mitts while you're handling it.
