Pyrotechnic chemistry drives the Vatican’s recipes for the black and white smoke used to announce papal election outcomes ...

For black smoke, the Vatican uses a mixture of potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulphur. The white smoke used to signal ...

Instead the 2013 recipe calls for potassium chlorate, the common sugar lactose and a type of pine resin sometimes known as Greek pitch. The first two ingredients are a common pair, Steinberg says ...

This selection comes after two days of conclave in the Sistine Chapel, tying the modern record for the fastest selection of a pope.

Since 1914, white smoke has indicated the election of a new pope. A stereotypical association of the colour of the smoke – white (positive) and black (negative) – lies behind the use of the two ...

Meanwhile, white smoke is produced using a much cleaner fuel mix and a more powerful oxidiser. Potassium chlorate (KClO₃) – even more reactive than perchlorate – ensures a hot, vigorous burn. Lactose ...

And if a new pope has been elected, potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin would be added to produce white smoke. Has a pope ever been elected on the first ballot? It is possible for a ...

anthracene, and sulfur. White smoke is created by burning ballots with a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin.

anthracene, and sulfur. White smoke is created by burning ballots with a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin.

For white smoke, the Vatican says it used to use wet straw, but to make it a more pure color, instead of a confusing grey, they use potassium chlorate, lactose and a tree or bush resin called ...