Editing Molotov cocktail (section)

== Design ==
[[File:Lighter for Swedish Molotov cocktail.jpg|thumb|Match-style fuses for a Swedish, military grade molotov cocktail (Brännflaska)]]
A Molotov cocktail is a glass bottle containing a flammable substance such as [[Gasoline|petrol]] (gasoline), [[Alcohol (chemistry)|alcohol]] or a [[napalm]]-like mixture and a source of ignition, such as a burning cloth [[Capillary action|wick]], held in place by the bottle's stopper. The wick is usually soaked in alcohol or [[kerosene]] rather than petrol. For [[winter warfare]], a method of ignition has been to attach [[Match#Varieties of matches today|storm matches]] to the side of the bottle, as these are less likely to be put out by wind.{{sfn|Trotter|2003|p=73}}<ref name="amreg A42">{{cite book |title=Amregister, Ammunitionsregister för armén |publisher=Ammunitionsavdelningen vid tygdepartementets 1. materialbyrå |location=Stockholm, Sweden |edition=1942 |language=sv |chapter=VII: Rök, brand.}}</ref><ref name="amreg A44">{{cite book |title=Amregister, Ammunitionsregister för armén |publisher=Ammunitionsavdelningen vid tygdepartementets 1. materialbyrå |location=Stockholm, Sweden |edition=1942, edit 1944 |language=sv |chapter=VII: Rök, brand.}}</ref> Some examples are fitted with [[ballast]] for improved throwing accuracy (such as filling {{frac|1|3}} of the bottle with sand).<ref name="Kaenbin">{{cite web |title=WW2 Japanese AT Weapons, Kaenbin |url=https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/kaenbin/ |website=tanks-encyclopedia.com |date=28 June 2021 |publisher=Tank Encyclopedia |access-date=2022-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207193430/https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/kaenbin/|archive-date= December 7, 2022 }}</ref>

In action, the wick/match is lit and the bottle hurled at a target such as a vehicle or fortification. When the bottle smashes on impact, the ensuing cloud of fuel droplets and vapour is ignited by the attached wick, causing an immediate [[Explosion|fireball]] followed by spreading flames as the remainder of the fuel is consumed.

Other flammable liquids, such as [[diesel fuel]], [[methanol]], [[turpentine]], [[jet fuel]], [[acetone]], and [[isopropyl alcohol]] (rubbing alcohol), have been used in place of, or combined with, petrol. Thickening agents, such as [[solvent]]s, [[Polystyrene#Extruded polystyrene foam|extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam]] (known colloquially as [[styrofoam]]),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-molotov-cocktail-russia/31725286.html | title=Making Molotov Cocktails, Ukrainian Civilians Prepare to Defend Homes| date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310205120/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-molotov-cocktail-russia/31725286.html|archive-date= March 10, 2022}}</ref> [[Sodium bicarbonate|baking soda]], [[petroleum jelly]], [[tar]], strips of [[Inner tube|tyre tubing]], [[nitrocellulose]], [[motor oil]], [[rubber cement]], [[detergent]] and [[dish soap]], have been added to promote adhesion of the burning liquid and to create clouds of thick, choking smoke.<ref name="Rottman 2010">{{cite book |last1=Rottman |first1=Gordon L. |last2=Dennis |first2=Peter |title=World War II Allied Sabotage Devices and Booby Traps |url=https://archive.org/details/worldwariiallied00rott |url-access=limited |location=Botley, Oxford |year=2010 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn=978-1-84908-175-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/worldwariiallied00rott/page/n18 18] }}</ref> There also exist variations on the Molotov cocktail-concept where the bottle is filled with a [[Smoke screen|smoke generating]] mixture such as [[sulfur trioxide]] dissolved in [[chlorosulfonic acid]].<ref name="amordlista">{{cite book |title=AMORDLISTA, Preliminär ammunitionsordlista |publisher=Försvarets materielverk (FMV), huvudavdelningen för armémateriel |year=1979 |location=Sweden |page=61}}</ref> These so-called "smoke bottles" do not need a source for ignition, as the mixture reacts with the air once the bottle is smashed.<ref name="amreg A42"/><ref name="amreg A44"/>