What Makes Nitrates So Explosive?

[tsuwal]

I was wondering..

- TNT has nitrates
- Gunpowder has nitrates
- Dynamite has nitrates

Hmm.. so what makes nitrates so explosive?

 

[ChiralWaltz]

Nitro(NO₂) and nitrate(NO₃) groups in these substances decompose into nitrogen gas (N₂) during the explosion. When a triple bond forms between the nitrogens, energy is released (~-950 kilojoules/mol). The formation of bonds in CO, CO₂, H₂O (products of TNT's explosion) also contribute to the release of energy. The fast rate of reaction combined with the high pressure created by the newly formed gasses play a key role in how powerful an explosion is.