All Questions
Tagged with explosives reaction-mechanism
9
questions
40
votes
6
answers
12k
views
How does ammonium nitrate explode on its own?
I thought ammonium nitrate was an oxidizer that needed to be mixed with fuel to form a high explosive (e.g., ANFO). But apparently there have been accidental explosions involving just the "...
- 1,633
19
votes
1
answer
833
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What did actually happen when Staudinger tried to synthesise diamond?
It is a famous reaction that used to be a teaching lab experiment, but is now banned in Germany, because it is too dangerous. To quote-translate quite liberally from the German www.seilnacht.com:
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- 44.3k
1
vote
2
answers
755
views
Why is there such a violent reaction when NaCl is formed?
In school I saw how $\ce{NaCl}$ was formed and I noticed that there was a violent reaction. Can someone tell me why there is such a violent reaction? The $\ce{NaCl}$ was formed by reacting sodium ...
- 21
1
vote
2
answers
464
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mechanism of mechanically triggered explosion [duplicate]
There are several well known explosives which can be mechanically triggered. I am curious about the mechanism of such a reaction, though.
I guess one can give an easy answer when the explosive is ...
- 5,385
13
votes
2
answers
521
views
Mechanism of initiation in contact explosives?
It's well known that undiluted nitroglycerin will explode when subjected to a physical shock. What is happening as a result of the physical shock that sets off the explosive reaction? In particular, ...
- 323
6
votes
1
answer
6k
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Why do we need acid when making acetone peroxide?
Acetone peroxide is a very dangerous explosive, easily detonated by mild heating, friction or shock. It appears in the form of small white crystals.
This compound forms from the mixture of hydrogen ...
- 2,518
13
votes
4
answers
6k
views
Which chemical properties make a substance explosive?
I know that some chemical substances are used as explosives. Amongst the most famous nitroglycerin in dynamite and cyclonite in C-4. Which chemical properties (I suspect that physical properties have ...
- 1,053
38
votes
4
answers
10k
views
What exactly is happening when sodium, potassium, or other alkali metal explodes in water?
There are lots of videos on YouTube showing sodium, potassium, etc. exploding when dropped into water (this, for example).
I understand that when an alkali metal is exposed to water, a violent ...
- 513
27
votes
2
answers
4k
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What makes diazo compounds so unstable and explosive?
I once had an Orgo TA refer to a diazo compound as "diazo-boom-boom" (the technical term). I have always been curious as to the reason behind the instability and reactivity.
According to Wikipedia
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