4 ms·
> I don't think anybody who knows what an "exothermic reaction" is would suggest that dry ice sublimating is a reaction. It's a phase change, sure, but it's not
by mayank 13y ago
> I don't think anybody who knows what an "exothermic reaction" is would suggest that dry ice sublimating is a reaction. It's a phase change, sure, but it's not a reaction.
This is being overly pedantic. What if the "inadequate pressure vessel" contained shrapnel that exploded out with the pressure change. Would it still not be a "bomb" because there was no chemical change involved?
- tetha 13y agoThe term bomb overall is wrong. A bomb is a military weapon with a number of specifications. A bottle filled with dry ice is a probably human-carried improvised explosive device. The complete explosive device might have shrapnels, it might not, it might be big, it might be small. That needs to be specified further, because explosive devices include a very large group of devices. After learning that distinction, I found it rather adaequate. If a proper bomb went off in LAX, we'd be looking at a lot of rubble. When WW2 bombs are disarmed over here in germany, square kilometers are evacuated due to the danger of bombs. This is not necessarily the case for most improvised explosive devices.
- droopybuns 13y agoI completely disagree. Saying these things "detonated" is like the Gen Alexander stating that the NSA spying program stopped over 50 plots to to attack the country. We later found out that this was only true for scenarios where "attack" is defined as "transferring money." They are purposefully overstating the threat. It's not like the TSA has an overabundance of examples that justify it's existance.
- jlgreco 13y agoAnd if I purposely inflate a party balloon too far? If I smack an inflated brown paper bag? Would you defend describing those things as "bombs" as well?
- mayank 13y agoIf it contains shrapnel, and if the discharge is forceful enough to cause injury from the shrapnel, yes.