Question

Ammonium nitrate is a high explosive if not handled carefully, breaking down into nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, and water vapor. The expansion of the three gases produced yields the explosive force in this case. Write the unbalanced chemical equation for this process.

Short answer

The unbalanced chemical equation for the decomposition of ammonium nitrate is \(NH_4NO_3 \rightarrow N_2 + O_2 + H_2O\).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the formulas of each compound involved

: The chemical formulas for each compound involved in this reaction are as follows: - Ammonium nitrate: \(NH_4NO_3\) - Nitrogen gas: \(N_2\) - Oxygen gas: \(O_2\) - Water vapor: \(H_2O\)

Write the unbalanced chemical equation

: Now that we have the chemical formulas for all the compounds involved in the reaction, we can write the unbalanced chemical equation: \(NH_4NO_3 \rightarrow N_2 + O_2 + H_2O\)

Key concepts

Ammonium Nitrate

Ammonium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula \(NH_4NO_3\). It's widely known for its use in fertilizers due to its high nitrogen content, essential for plant growth. Yet, it’s also famous as a component in explosives, reflecting its dual usage. Ammonium nitrate by itself is not dangerous, but under the right conditions, it can become unstable. This is especially true when it’s subjected to heat or pressure, causing it to decompose violently. This decomposition releases nitrogen gas \(N_2\), oxygen gas \(O_2\), and water vapor \(H_2O\). The transition from a safe compound into a high-energy explosive highlights the importance of handling it with care. This dual nature makes ammonium nitrate both valuable and hazardous.

Chemical Equations

Chemical equations are representations of chemical reactions. They show how reactants transform into products. In the given example, ammonium nitrate \(NH_4NO_3\) is the reactant, and it breaks down into nitrogen gas \(N_2\), oxygen gas \(O_2\), and water vapor \(H_2O\). An unbalanced equation for this reaction looks like:

• \(NH_4NO_3 \rightarrow N_2 + O_2 + H_2O \)

The task of balancing requires making both sides of the equation equal in terms of the number of each type of atom. Balancing chemical equations ensures that mass is conserved in chemical reactions according to the law of conservation of mass.

High Explosives

High explosives are materials that invoke a rapid reaction producing a massive expansion of gases and releasing tremendous energy. The explosive nature of ammonium nitrate emerges during its decomposition. The rapid conversion from solid to gaseous form is what generates explosive force. This occurs in ammonium nitrate as it decomposes into nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor gases, each expanding and taking up much more space than the solid form did. Understanding this transformation helps in both the safe utilization of ammonium nitrate and in preventing its inappropriate use. It's crucial in industries reliant on explosive materials for controlled detonations.