• Question: What is the most powerful chemical?

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      Asked by xX_OldmanBamanaboni_Xx to John, Laura, Luke, Rob, Ruth on 15 Jun 2016.
      • Photo: Ruth Patchett

        Ruth Patchett answered on 15 Jun 2016:

        This depends what you mean by “powerful”. The most reactive chemicals is probably fluorine gas, the most deadly chemical could arguably be carbon monoxide, the most flammable probably oxygen or hydrogen (which burns with an invisible flame!). Thioacetone is supposed to be the smelliest (apparently you could smell the factory that made it from half a kilometer away… If we call DNA a chemical it is the chemical that holds the most information. So I guess it depends what “power” you are after!

      • Photo: Robert Williams

        Robert Williams answered on 15 Jun 2016:

        To answer that question truthfully I would get a visit form the CIA!
        The most powerful chemical – in terms of its capabilities – is Oxygen.
        Depends upon your definition of powerful.

      • Photo: Luke Williams

        Luke Williams answered on 16 Jun 2016:

        Hydrofluoric acid is on my “do not work with” list. That makes it powerful enough for my liking. It will quite happily dissolve your bones should you spill any on you.

        I suppose in terms of power there are various explosives. In terms of reactivity, will defer to Ruth and others on that.

        There’s an argument for water though. Good old dihydrogen monoxide is the only chemical that we are aware of that supports life.

      • Photo: John Fossey

        John Fossey answered on 16 Jun 2016:

        In terms of power you can only say water
        Steam power
        Most electricity generation (all but solar and wind) uses water. Heat water to steam to drive a turbine, or hydrothermal or wave.

        In terms of delivering power think about how widespread hydraulic systems are “hydro” water – water is used to transfer power.

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