[CliveT]

I'm creating a computer game with a puzzle set in a secret laboratory.
Some plot elements include a red room which heats things, a purple room which irradiates things, a lab bench which needs to be blown up, and a race against time.

My current puzzle is as follows:
Find chemical A and take it to the bench.
Find chemical B, heat it in the red room, then get it to the bench before it cools.
Find chemical C, irradiate it in the 'UV' room, then get it to the bench before the radiation fades.

My problem is that I'd like the chemicals to be at least partly realistic.
Could anyone suggest a suitable choice for chemicals A, B and C..?

In keeping with the forum rules about explosives, and not wishing to encourage explosions, I'd be happy with something half-real:
Find the baking soda
Find the vinegar
Find the imaginium - boom.
(although this doesn't fit my red/purple room or timer requirements.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Bonus points if the heating/UV treatment causes a noticeable colour change! Many thanks.

Update:
Verisimilitude will be enough for me :-)

[Borek]

To me it doesn't sound like something that can be made 'real'. Imaginium is your best bet IMHO.

[CliveT]

Thanks Borek.
I did suspect as much - I've Googled from the UV starting point and also backwards from the explosives, but couldn't find a way to link them.

But hearing it on this forum is evidence that I should change my plan.

I believe Borekium glows under UV light...

[sjb]

Maybe look into how radioisotopes are used for tracers in medical applications (do A, B and C need to be reacted together)? Not strictly UV activation, but possible?

[CliveT]

Thanks sjb,
that's given me a greater understanding of cyclotrons and more - although, as you say, it's a bit too different from my purple room.

I appreciate the input - sometimes when one's Google-Fu runs out you can gain hugely from a fresh perspective. From reading other posts I can see how often it happens! Many thanks.