First you need to decide what smoke is. If scientifically, then this is an aerosol. It can be from solid particles and from liquid. Aerosols have their own properties. For example, if the smoke particles are too large, then its composite particles stick together (this process is called flocculation) and it settles quickly. And they can increase in size depending on the presence on them of the same electric charge or the absence of a film of adsorbed gases. The composition of the prepared mixture is divided into two large groups. One of them contains a smoke-forming reagent in its composition in a finished form, and in the second, this smoke-forming substance is obtained in the combustion process. But since our task is to find out how to make a smoke bomb with our own hands, then, therefore, we need to use those reagents that are available, or it’s not difficult to get them at all.
First of all, we will deal with simple options that allow you to receive white and black smoke. A very simple way to get white smoke is a cooked smoke bomb from ammonium nitrate. It is necessary to soak two or three newspapers in a strong solution of ammonium nitrate, dry them and roll them into a dense tube.
The resulting cylinder must be wrapped in several layers of foil and insert the wick, which can be made of the same paper. After ignition, the product will quickly burn out, emitting a sufficient amount of white smoke. In order for the smoke bomb, cooked with your own hands, to produce more smoke and burn more slowly, you must pour
ammonium chloride (ammonia) and baking soda evenly between the layers of the dried newspaper. The amount of additives is recognized empirically. And the role of these additives is as follows. When heated, soda will produce carbon dioxide and slow down combustion, and ammonia is very easily sublime, and after it enters the atmosphere, it condenses and turns into white smoke.
Do-it-yourself smoke bomb is done to get black smoke. In this case, a smoke-generating substance will be formed as a result of combustion. Aromatic hydrocarbons are best suited to produce black smoke. To obtain an acceptable composition,
potassium nitrate, naphthalene and
charcoal in a ratio of 2: 2: 1 will be required. All this is thoroughly mixed, the resulting powder is poured into a tin can and a wick is inserted. During combustion, incomplete oxidation of naphthalene will occur. The resulting soot will fly out of the hole in the form of black smoke. If the combustion takes place too quickly, but more naphthalene should be added to the composition, and if not black, but gray smoke is formed, then it will be necessary to increase the amount of charcoal.
However, to obtain colored fumes, the smoke bomb already described can be used. Do it yourself is unlikely to synthesize a dye suitable for staining smoke. But there is a very simple way out. You can use those dyes that are at hand. For example, indigo or, at worst, blue is suitable for blue smoke. The composition is as follows: potassium nitrate,
milk sugar and indigo in a ratio of 1.5: 1: 2. It is made in the same way as the previous composition.
In general, this method is very interesting in that there is a huge field for experiments with the aim of producing smoke of different colors. Color toners for laser printers, or even better food colorings, are well suited for dyeing smoke. In practice, the next smoke bomb has proven itself well.
At home, you can sprinkle the sheets of newspaper with powdered turmeric or pour out a few Yupi sachets. Product packaging has already been described.
In conclusion: you can use the following recipe for a joke. Take one tablet of dipyrone and hydroperite. Crush them and mix the powders. The rate of onset of smoke formation depends on the degree of grinding of the tablets.