The Science of Breaking Bad

by Dave Trumbore, Donna J. Nelson, Marius Stan (Foreword by)

Overview

All the science in Breaking Bad—from explosive experiments to acid-based evidence destruction—explained and analyzed for authenticity.

Breaking Bad's (anti)hero Walter White (played by Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston) is a scientist, a high school chemistry teacher who displays a plaque that recognizes his “contributions to research awarded the Nobel Prize.” During the course of five seasons, Walt practices a lot of ad hoc chemistry—from experiments that explode to acid-based evidence destruction to an amazing repertoire of methodologies for illicit meth making. But how much of Walt's science is actually scientific? In The Science of “Breaking Bad,” Dave Trumbore and Donna Nelson explain, analyze, and evaluate the show's portrayal of science, from the pilot's opening credits to the final moments of the series finale. The intent is not, of course, to provide a how-to manual for wannabe meth moguls but to decode the show's most head-turning, jaw-dropping moments. Trumbore, a science and entertainment writer, and Nelson, a professor of chemistry and Breaking Bad's science advisor, are the perfect scientific tour guides.

Trumbore and Nelson cover the show's portrayal of chemistry, biology, physics, and subdivisions of each area including toxicology and electromagnetism. They explain, among other things, Walt's DIY battery making; the dangers of Mylar balloons; the feasibility of using hydrofluoric acid to dissolve bodies; and the chemistry of methamphetamine itself. Nelson adds interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes and describes her work with the show's creator and writers. Marius Stan, who played Bogdan on the show (and who is a PhD scientist himself) contributes a foreword. This is a book for every science buff who appreciated the show's scientific moments and every diehard Breaking Bad fan who wondered just how smart Walt really was.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780262537155
Publisher:	MIT Press
Publication date:	06/18/2019
Series:	The MIT Press
Pages:	262
Sales rank:	1,062,031
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Dave Trumbore is an editor at Collider.com and a freelance science writer.

Donna J. Nelson is Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oklahoma and past President of the American Chemical Society. She was the science advisor to Breaking Bad.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xiii

I Meet Walter White 1

Side RxN #1: Crystallography and Synchrotrons 9

Chemistry I 11

II Chemical Credits 15

Side RxN #2: Chemical Composition of the Human Body 20

III Playing with Fire 23

IV It's a (Phosphine) Gas 31

Side RxN #3: Carbon, by Any Other Name 37

Physics 39

V DIY Battery 43

Side RxN #4: Breaking Bad Balloons 51

VI A Magnetic Conversation 53

Side RxN #5: Zombie Computers 61

VII Trouble Brewing 63

Side RxN #6: They're Minerals, Marie! 75

Chemistry II 77

VIII Explosives: Fulminated Mercury and the Wheelchair Bomb 81

Side RxN #7: Quality Face Time with Gus Fring 91

IX Pyrotechnics: Thermite Lockpick 93

Side RxN #8: Walter White's Fraying Nerves 100

X Corrosives: Hydrofluoric Acid 103

Biology 113

XI Psychiatry: Fugue States, Panic Attacks, and PTSD 117

Side RxN #9: Walt Tells the Truth 128

XII Pediatrics: Cerebral Palsy 129

Side RxN #10: Walter White's Heredity 134

Side RxN #11: Holly White Joins the Show 135

XIII Oncology: Cancer and Treatment 137

Side RxN #12: Walt's Major Award 146

XIV Toxicology: Ricin, Lily of the Valley, and … Cyanide? 147

XV Pharmacology: Drugs, Addiction, and Overdoses 157

Chemistry III 165

XVI Methylamine: The Solution Is Dilution 169

XVII Let's Get Analytical 175

Side RxN #13: Glass Grade 183

XVIII The Lab Maketh the Meth 185

Side RxN #14: Qualitative Analysis of Foods at Madrigal 213

XIX Finale/Felina 217

Glossary 223

Notes 227

Index 243

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

This book made me watch several episodes of Breaking Bad over again! Science writer Dave Trumbore expertly takes us through a wide range of scientific topics, while chemistry professor Donna Nelson provides fascinating behind-the-scenes insight

—Jack Challoner, author of over forty books, including The Atom: A Visual Tour

Scientist or non-scientist, there is something for nearly everyone in this intriguing book packed with incredible detail and 'behind the scenes' notes from Breaking Bad. It's so much more than a great guide to Walter White's exciting science. For example, I enjoyed the section on Gales coffee machine! If you love the science in the series I think you will love this book, too.

—Dr. Jonathan Hare, British scientist, science communicator, and television presenter

Editorial Reviews

An entertaining way to learn more about chemistry — and an excuse to rewatch the show.—ZDNet—

It's quite a good example of the 'science of...' genre.... It will be read by fans of the show - the kind of people who watch the DVD again with the commentary switched on.

—Popular Science Books—

Fans of Breaking Bad will especially enjoy reading this entertaining and informative book, as will students of chemistry — and even those who teach chemistry — because the book (and the series) makes this valuable scientific discipline so fun and accessible to the public.

—Forbes—

Revealing and fascinating.

—Engineering and Technology Magazine—

Explains everything from Walt's DIY battery-making to the feasibility of using hydrofluoric acid to dissolve bodies and the chemistry of methamphetamine itself.

—TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION—

Fans of Breaking Bad will especially enjoy reading this entertaining and informative book, as will students of chemistry — and even those who teach chemistry — because the book (and the series) makes this valuable scientific discipline so fun and accessible to the public.

—Forbes—

From the Publisher