Final answer:
Nitroglycerine contains a high content of oxygen, which contributes to its explosive properties. During the explosion, it decomposes rapidly, releasing gases and energy in a spontaneous reaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nitroglycerine explodes with tremendous force due to its high content of oxygen. When nitroglycerine explodes, it undergoes a rapid decomposition reaction releasing gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, and a significant amount of energy, characterized by an increase in entropy and a decrease in enthalpy, qualifying it as a spontaneous reaction. The chemical formula of nitroglycerin is 4C3H5(ONO2)3, which upon decomposition, produces 12CO2, 10H2O, 6N2, and O2, demonstrating the high oxygen content involved in the explosive reaction.
Key Points About Nitroglycerin and Explosions
- Nitroglycerin is the active ingredient in dynamite.
- It is stabilized by mixing with diatomaceous earth.
- Explosive reactions of nitroglycerin are very exothermic and produce large volumes of gases.
Understanding explosions, especially in educational contexts like Chemistry, provides insight into the nature of chemical reactions and the factors that contribute to their spontaneity and strength, including the presence of reactive oxygen within the substance's molecular structure.