What is napalm and how is it made?

Napalm, invented by Fieser in 1942, is an incendiary substance made by the simple procedure of adding a “gelling” powder, composed of naphthalene and palmitate (hence “napalm”), to gasoline in varying concentrations to form a sticky, combustible substance. Gelation of this substance occurs in 3-20 minutes.

What is napalm and why was it created?

Invented in 1942, by Julius Fieser, a Harvard organic chemist, napalm was the ideal incendiary weapon: cheap, stable, and sticky—a burning gel that stuck to roofs, furniture, and skin. The bat-bomb project was eventually canceled, but napalm did its work.

What makes napalm so flammable?

Many variations of the chemicals used in napalm exist. The most common current composition includes aluminum salts, polystyrene, and benzene. Detonation then occurs by various explosive compounds that ignite phosphorous, which burns at a temperature adequate to ignite the fuel mixture.

Was napalm effective in the Vietnam War?

Napalm became a necessary weapon of every modern military force, even though its consequences were among the most inhumane. The effectiveness of the weapon overruled its cruelty. In fact, napalm caused carbon monoxide poisoning when used on enclosed environment which wasn’t directly hit by fire.

What does Napalm stand for?

NAPALM

Acronym	Definition
NAPALM	Napthenic Acid and Palmitate (jellied incendiary used in bombs)
NAPALM	National ADP Program for Army Material Command Logistics Management

What is napalm fire?

Any thickened fuel is often referred to as napalm, even though it doesn’t contain aluminum salts. Napalm burns at temperatures ranging from 800 to 1,200 °C (1,470 to 2,190 °F). In addition, it burns for a greater duration than gasoline, as well as being more easily dispersed and sticking tenaciously to its targets.

How did the US use napalm?

The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy used napalm with great effect against all kinds of targets, such as troops, tanks, buildings, jungles, and even railroad tunnels. The effect was not always purely physical as napalm had psychological effects on the enemy as well.

What is liquid napalm?

Napalm is the name for a number of flammable liquids that have been used in warfare. Often, it’s jellied gasoline. Napalm is actually the thickener in such liquids. When it is mixed with gasoline, the thickener makes a sticky incendiary gel. It was developed by the U.S. in World War II by a team of Harvard chemists.

What was the purpose of napalm?

napalm, the aluminum salt or soap of a mixture of naphthenic and aliphatic carboxylic acids (organic acids of which the molecular structures contain rings and chains, respectively, of carbon atoms), used to thicken gasoline for use as an incendiary in flamethrowers and fire bombs.

Who created napalm?

Louis Fieser
Napalm/Inventors

What are the uses of napalm?

Napalm, the aluminum salt or soap of a mixture of naphthenic and aliphatic carboxylic acids (organic acids of which the molecular structures contain rings and chains, respectively, of carbon atoms), used to thicken gasoline for use as an incendiary in flamethrowers and fire bombs .

What is the ratio to make napalm?

Napalm is a commercial product consisting of a basic aluminum soap of naphthenic, oleic , and palmitic acids in the approximate ratio of 1 : 1 : 2.

Why did the US use napalm in Vietnam?

While used in World War II and the Korean War, napalm became notorious in Vietnam where it was used in three capacities. Possibly its most visual use was being dropped from aircraft in large canisters which tumbled sluggishly to earth.

How hot does Napalm burn?

It burns at temperatures of 800-1,200 degrees C (1,500-2,200 degrees F). When napalm falls on people, the gel sticks to their skin, hair, and clothing, causing unimaginable pain, severe burns, unconsciousness, asphyxiation, and often death.