A dry ice bomb is a simple

explosive An explosive (or explosive material) is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure. An expl ...

device. While their simplicity, ease of construction, high bursting pressure and loud noise make them appealing for recreational purposes, they can be unpredictable and dangerous. These bombs have led to many injuries and are illegal in many jurisdictions.

Overview

Dry ice bombs are commonly made from a container such as a

plastic bottle A plastic bottle is a bottle constructed from high-density or low density plastic. Plastic bottles are typically used to store liquids such as water, soft drinks, motor oil, cooking oil, medicine, shampoo, milk, and ink. The size ranges from v ...

water Water (chemical formula ) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as ...

and

dry ice Dry ice is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It is commonly used for temporary refrigeration as CO2 does not have a liquid state at normal atmospheric pressure and sublimates directly from the solid state to the gas state. It is used primarily ...

. The bottle is partly filled with water. Chunks of dry ice are added and the container is closed tightly. As the solid

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide ( chemical formula ) is a chemical compound made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in the gas state at room temperature. In the air, carbon dioxide is t ...

warms, it sublimates to gas and the pressure in the bottle increases. Bombs typically rupture within 30 seconds to half an hour, dependent largely on the temperature of the air outside the bottle. A dry ice bomb may develop

frost Frost is a thin layer of ice on a solid surface, which forms from water vapor in an above-freezing atmosphere coming in contact with a solid surface whose temperature is below freezing, and resulting in a phase change from water vapor (a g ...

on its exterior prior to explosion. After explosion, it appears to have shattered, with the overall shape of the device intact.

Dangers

Dry ice bombs may induce serious risks: * Explosion can occur within seconds, injuring the handler. * The shockwave can be extremely loud, causing hearing damage even at substantial distances. * The blast can propel fragments of the container at very high speeds, causing cuts and puncture wounds. Injuries are common, with glass bottles in particular posing risks of serious injury or death. In one case, the explosive release of carbon dioxide gas ruptured the

esophagus The esophagus (American English) or oesophagus (British English; both ), non-technically known also as the food pipe or gullet, is an organ in vertebrates through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to t ...

of a child, requiring emergency surgery. Bombs that fail to explode pose a major safety problem: They cannot be left, yet cannot be safely approached.

Legality

Dry ice bombs are illegal in many jurisdictions. Manufacturing one or using one can lead to imprisonment. * A law in

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...

that defines "destructive device" includes a list of "weapons" including " nysealed device containing dry ice (CO₂) or other chemically reactive substances assembled for the purpose of causing an explosion by a chemical reaction". * In Nebraska and other States the noise generated may violate local laws. * Arizona prohibits dry ice bombs if there is an intent to cause injury, death, or damage to the property of another, as well as their possession by "prohibited possessors" such as convicted felons and illegal immigrants. * In Utah, simple possession of a dry ice bomb or similar pressurized chemical reaction bomb is a second-degree felony."Bomb squad demonstrates dangers of homemade explosives"
KSL.com. * In Colorado, the creation of a dry ice bomb is considered illegal due to interpretation as "possession of an explosive device" * Leaving an unexploded dry ice bomb can be construed as

public endangerment Endangerment is a type of crime involving conduct that is wrongful and reckless or wanton, and likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm to another person. There are several kinds of endangerment, each of which is a criminal act that can ...

. * Exploding a dry ice bomb in public in Pennsylvania can result in criminal charges if it is not done on a bomb range, gun range or open area.

References

{{Reflist, 2

External links

DryIceNetwork.com – Dry ice information source

USENET pyrotechnics FAQ

Applications of carbon dioxide Improvised explosive devices

Overview

Dangers

Legality

See also

References

External links