Snappers are small, paper-bound firecrackers that make a popping sound when thrown against a hard surface. The snappers actually consist of small rocks or sand that has been soaked in silver fulminate. Silver fulminate is very explosive and can be toxic if taken in large quantities. The small quantities in snappers are relatively harmless. When the silver fulminate comes into contact with a hard surface, it explodes, causing a popping sound. You can make your own snappers by coating sand with silver fulminate.
Things You'll Need:
- Scissors
- Corn Starch
- Fine, Dry Sand
- Silver Fulminate
- Tissue Paper
Make your own silver fulminate or obtain it from a chemistry supply store. Mix the silver fulminate with corn starch to provide some degree of stability.
Cut a 4-inch square of tissue paper. Place 1/4 teaspoon of the silver fulminate and 1/4 teaspoon of sand in the center of the tissue paper.
Pull the four corners of the tissue paper up to the center and twist them together.
Throw the snapper down onto a hard surface to detonate.
Warnings:
- The silver fulminate is highly explosive and should be handled only in small quantities and with caution. Keep silver fulminate out of direct sunlight. Silver fulminate is toxic. Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Warnings
- The silver fulminate is highly explosive and should be handled only in small quantities and with caution.
- Keep silver fulminate out of direct sunlight.
- Silver fulminate is toxic. Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Writer Bio
Nicole Fotheringham has been a writer since 1997. She was born in South Africa and began as a reporter for the "Natal Mercury" and "Cape Argus" newspapers. Fotheringham has a master's degree in English literature from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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