mercury fulminate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific, Historical
Quick answer
What does “mercury fulminate” mean?
A highly explosive primary explosive compound with the chemical formula Hg(CNO)₂, historically used in detonators and percussion caps.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly explosive primary explosive compound with the chemical formula Hg(CNO)₂, historically used in detonators and percussion caps.
A crystalline compound of mercury, nitric acid, and ethanol, known for its extreme sensitivity to shock, friction, and heat. Its use has largely been replaced by safer alternatives.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling remains the same. Pronunciations may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “mercury fulminate” in a Sentence
[Subject: compound] is used in [object: detonators/caps][Subject: researchers] synthesised/prepared mercury fulminateMercury fulminate [verb: decomposes/explodes] upon [condition: impact/friction]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in general business contexts. May appear in highly specific manufacturing or chemical supply procurement documents.
Academic
Used in chemistry, chemical engineering, and history of science/technology texts and lectures.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Precise term in explosives chemistry, pyrotechnics, and detonator design. Discussed in terms of its synthesis, sensitivity, and replacement by safer primary explosives like lead azide.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mercury fulminate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mercury fulminate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mercury fulminate”
- Misspelling as 'mercury fulminant' or 'mercury fulminating'.
- Incorrect pronunciation with stress on the second syllable of 'fulminate' (as in the verb). The noun 'fulminate' has primary stress on the first syllable.
- Using it as a general term for any explosive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its use is very rare and largely historical. It has been replaced by more stable and reliable primary explosives like lead azide or DDNP in modern detonators.
The name comes from 'fulminic acid', the unstable acid from which the salt is derived. The Latin root 'fulmen' means 'lightning', referring to the sudden, explosive reaction.
It is known for its extreme sensitivity and can decompose or explode from shock, friction, spark, or even gradual chemical decomposition under certain conditions, making it very dangerous to handle.
A primary explosive (like mercury fulminate) is very sensitive and is used to initiate the detonation of a larger, less sensitive secondary explosive (like TNT or dynamite).
A highly explosive primary explosive compound with the chemical formula Hg(CNO)₂, historically used in detonators and percussion caps.
Mercury fulminate is usually technical/scientific, historical in register.
Mercury fulminate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜːrkjəri ˈfʊlmɪneɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɝːkjəri ˈfʊlməˌneɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FAST (fulminate) MERCURY thermometer that SHATTERS explosively when tapped.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PRIMED TRIGGER (conceptualising its role as a primary explosive that initiates a larger reaction).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason mercury fulminate is no longer widely used?