CERTIFICATE
This is certified that the project was successfully done by Sagar Malla that ,the original
and genuine investigation work has been carried out to investigate about the subject matter and
the related data collection and investigation has been completed solely, sincerely and
satisfactorily regarding to chemistry teacher project titled “Preparation of Smoke bomb”.
Tej Narayan Chapagain
Teacher’s sign
Acknowledgement
I place my sincere thanks to my chemistry teacher Tej Narayan Chapagain for her
guidance and advices to complete my work successfully. I also thank our School for
providing me all the facilities to finish the project on time.
I also take this opportunity to place on record my deep gratitude to god for the
countless blessings showered on me while doing the work and to complete it.
Last but not least I thank my parents for their encouragement and support in my
humble venture.
Contents
•Aim
•Theory
•Material Requirement
•Procedure
•Equation & Uses
• Bibliography
Aim
To Prepare a Smoke Bomb.
Theory
A smoke bomb is a firework designed to produce smoke upon ignition. Smoke bombs
are useful to military units, self-defense and pranks. The smoke bomb was first created
in 1848, by the inventor Robert Yale. Colored smoke devices use a formula that consists
of an oxidizer (typically potassium chlorate, KClO3), a fuel (generally sugar), a moderate
(such as sodium bicarbonate) to keep the reaction from getting too hot, and a
powdered organic dye for color. The burning of this mixture evaporates the dye and
forces it out of the device, where it condenses in the atmosphere to form a "smoke" of
finely dispersed particles.
Material Requirement
• Sugar
• Potassium nitrate, KNO3, also known as saltpeter
• Skillet or pan
• Aluminum foil or a used tissue paper roll
• Fuse for easy ignition (from fireworks)
• Cotton and tape
• Burner
Procedure
1. Pour about 3 parts potassium nitrate to 2 parts sugar into the skillet (5:3 ratio is also good).
Measurements don't need to be exact, but you want more KNO3 than sugar. For example, you can use 1-
1/2 cups KNO3 and 1 cup sugar. If you use equal amounts of KNO3 and sugar, your smoke bomb will be
harder to light and will burn more slowly. As you approach the 5:3 KNO3 : sugar ratio, you get a smoke
bomb that burns more quickly.
2. Apply low heat to the pan. Stir the mixture with a spoon using long strokes. If you see the grains of
sugar starting to melt along the edges where you are stirring, remove the pan from the heat and
reduce the temperature before continuing.
3. Basically you are caramelizing sugar. The mixture will melt and become a caramel or chocolate color.
Continue heating/stirring until the ingredients are liquefied. Remove from heat.
4. Pour the liquid onto a piece of foil or into the cardboard roll. You can pour a smaller amount onto a
separate piece, to test the batch. You can pour the smoke bomb into any shape, onto an object, or into a
mold. The shape and size will affect the burning pattern.
5. If you aren't going to clean your skillet immediately, pour hot water into the pan to dissolve the sugar
(or else it will be harder to clean). Clean up any residue you may have spilled out of the pan, unless you
want mini-smoke bombs on your stovetop.
Equation
48KNO3 + 5C12H22O11 24K2CO3 + 24N2 + 36CO2 + 55H2O
Uses
Smoke bombs are primarily used in military warfare as smoke
screens. Smoke screens are usually used by infantry to conceal their
movement in areas of exposure to enemy fire and to conceal a
withdrawal. The use of smoke screens was common in the naval
battles of World War I & II. Another application is in smoke grenades:
Smoke grenades are canister-type grenades used as ground-to-
ground or ground-to-air signaling devices, target or landing zone
marking devices, or as screening devices for unit movements. Smoke
grenades are normally considered nonlethal, although incorrect use
may cause death.
Bibliography
•Wikipedia
•Chemistry practical book
•Scribed.com
