The chemistry in Breaking Bad
fulminated mercury would be capable to produce such an explosion as seen in the show. The aluminothermic reaction is also used in the show as a highly exothermic reaction to melt away a lock. The reaction used in the show is as follows.
2𝐴𝑙 + 𝐹𝑒 2 𝑂 3 →𝐴𝑙 2 𝑂 3 +2𝐹𝑒 Iron(III) oxide 2𝐴𝑙 + 3𝐹𝑒𝑂 → 𝐴𝑙 2 𝑂 3 +3𝐹𝑒 Iron(II) oxide 8𝐴𝑙 + 3𝐹𝑒 3 𝑂 4 →4𝐴𝑙 2 𝑂 3 +9𝐹𝑒 Iron(II,III) oxide
The reaction depends on the iron oxide, but all reactions result in the formation of elemental iron and aluminium oxide. The reaction release 884kJ 6 (iron(II) oxide) per mole of Al 2 O 3 and 857kJ 6 (Iron(III) oxide) per mole of Al 2 O 3 . This means the reaction can reach temperatures up to 2500 ◦ C. 7 Steel is the most common material for high-security locks and has a melting point between 1371-1540 ◦ C 8 (depending on the ratio of carbon or other elements to iron in the steel). Therefore, we can conclude that the reaction used by Walter would be able to melt through a high security lock.
Using a makeshift battery to start an RV
When stranded in the desert due to the ignition being broken on the RV, Walter builds an electrochemical battery using makeshift parts from the RV and KOH (electrolyte) from their chemical stock. At the anode Walter uses galvanized metal from pennies, nut bolts and screws. This is due to the zinc coating on galvanized metals which will act as a donator of electrons to the electrolyte when it gets oxidized as follows.
𝑍𝑛 →𝑍𝑛 2+ +2𝑒 −
The standard electrode potential at the anode under ideal conditions is - 0.79V. 9 At the cathode Walter uses the brake pads of the RV. The brake pads are graphite with a coating of HgO. In the HgO there will be Hg 2+ ions which will act as the cathode as follows.
𝐻𝑔 2+ +2𝑒 − →𝐻𝑔
The standard electrode potential here is 0.85V. 9 In the show you can see Walter stacking six cells together in series to make his battery. This makes the maximum voltage under ideal conditions 9.66V. RVs usually run on a battery between 12-13V: this makes it highly unlikely that a battery producing 9.66V (slightly less than 9.66V in reality ) could jumpstart an RV.
Calculations showing the cell voltage of the homemade cells in ideal conditions
6 Hall 2000. 7 Unleashing the power of thermite (2024). 8 Melting points of metals. 9 Table of standard electrode potentials.
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