Final answer:
The explosive used in detonating cord is a mixture of ammonium nitrate (AN) and fuel oil (FO). It produces nitrogen, water, and carbon dioxide when detonated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The explosive used in detonating cord is a mixture of ammonium nitrate (AN) and fuel oil (FO). The chemical composition of the explosive in detonating cord can be represented by the balanced equation: NH4NO3 + CnH2n+2 → xN2 + yH2O + zCO2
In an ideal stoichiometrically balanced reaction, the detonating cord is composed of about 94.3% ammonium nitrate (AN) and 5.7% fuel oil (FO) by weight. The reaction of ANFO produces gases such as nitrogen (N2), water (H2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2).
It is worth noting that when detonation conditions are not optimal, toxic gases like carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) can also be produced.