fulminating mercury

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Explanation of "Fulminating Mercury"

Definition: "Fulminating mercury" is a type of chemical compound that can explode if it is hit or heated. It is often used in devices that cause explosions, like detonators and blasting caps.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Context: It is primarily used in scientific or technical discussions related to chemistry or explosives.

Example Sentence:

• "The scientists carefully handled the fulminating mercury because it could explode if it were dropped."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced discussions, you might encounter terms like "sensitivity" or "stability" when talking about fulminating mercury, as these refer to how easily it can explode.

Word Variants:

• Fulminate (verb): To explode or to express strong protest.
• Fulmination (noun): The action of exploding or a sudden outburst.

Different Meanings:

1. In Chemistry: Refers specifically to the explosive compound made from mercury.
2. Figurative Use: "Fulminate" can also mean to express an intense or vehement protest, as in “He fulminated against the new policy.”

Synonyms:

• Explosive compound
• Detonator (in context)
• Perchlorate (in some contexts)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While "fulminating mercury" doesn't have idioms or phrasal verbs directly associated with it, you can use "fulminate" in phrases like: - "Fulminate against something": To protest strongly against something. - "Fulminate over": To complain or express outrage about something.

Summary:

Fulminating mercury is a dangerous explosive material used in detonators. It is important to understand its properties, especially in safety contexts, and to recognize its use in both scientific and metaphorical discussions.

Academic

Noun

1. a fulminate that when dry explodes violently if struck or heated; used in detonators and blasting caps and percussion caps

Synonyms

• mercury fulminate
• fulminate of mercury