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Title: A strange chemical reaction Written by: bio_man on May 11, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ritaljhhk7s#t=1m20s Here's how the decomposition of mercury(II) thiocyanate as it's lit with a torch (skip to 1 minute, 20 seconds). Comments: Mercury thiocyanate was formerly used in pyrotechnics causing an effect known as the Pharaoh's serpent or Pharaoh's snake. When the compound is in the presence of a strong enough heat source, a rapid exothermic reaction is started which produces a large mass of coiling serpent-like solid. Written by: savio on May 11, 2013 |