By: Catherine Schofield
Period A - Chemistry .1
April 2015
Period A - Chemistry .1
April 2015
Introduction:
Ammonium nitrate is a fascinating chemical compound that can be used to create massive and hazardous explosions, such as the one illustrated above. It is expressed through the chemical formula NH4NO3. At room temperature, this chemical compound is an odorless, white solid. However, under certain circumstances, these small, white pellets of ammonium nitrate can create some of the largest and most destructive bombs and explosions.
Ammonium nitrate is relatively stable, however, it is capable of resulting in deadly explosions. A very high amount of activation energy is required to cause an ammonium nitrate explosion, but it is very possible. If this chemical compound is exposed to powerful energy or combined with a combustible, then a violent and long-lasting reaction will take place, causing an explosion. If an explosion occurs, it is likely that the ammonium nitrate was confined and heated up in a tight, enclosed space in improper storage conditions. Ammonium nitrate explosions can result in seismic activity, which is equivalent to a 2.1 magnitude earthquake!
Currently, approximately 60 percent of all ammonium nitrate manufactured in the United States is distributed in a solid form (as opposed to liquid form). Ammonium nitrate is commonly used as a fertilizer because of the nitrogen-based substance that it contains, but it can also be used in the creation of explosives. It is formed by industrial production, as it is not found in nature. It is produced by neutralizing nitric acid with ammonia in an exothermic reaction. Processes that are used to produce ammonium nitrate include the "Haber-Bosch" process and the "Odda" process. It is often the misuse and improper placement of ammonium nitrate that causes deadly explosions.
~ Explore this website to discover more about ammonium nitrate! ~
Ammonium nitrate is relatively stable, however, it is capable of resulting in deadly explosions. A very high amount of activation energy is required to cause an ammonium nitrate explosion, but it is very possible. If this chemical compound is exposed to powerful energy or combined with a combustible, then a violent and long-lasting reaction will take place, causing an explosion. If an explosion occurs, it is likely that the ammonium nitrate was confined and heated up in a tight, enclosed space in improper storage conditions. Ammonium nitrate explosions can result in seismic activity, which is equivalent to a 2.1 magnitude earthquake!
Currently, approximately 60 percent of all ammonium nitrate manufactured in the United States is distributed in a solid form (as opposed to liquid form). Ammonium nitrate is commonly used as a fertilizer because of the nitrogen-based substance that it contains, but it can also be used in the creation of explosives. It is formed by industrial production, as it is not found in nature. It is produced by neutralizing nitric acid with ammonia in an exothermic reaction. Processes that are used to produce ammonium nitrate include the "Haber-Bosch" process and the "Odda" process. It is often the misuse and improper placement of ammonium nitrate that causes deadly explosions.
~ Explore this website to discover more about ammonium nitrate! ~