The Chemistry of Dynamite

Silica, Alumina, and Iron Oxide are the main compounds of Diatomite.

• Silica is composed of SiO2, Alumina is composed of Al2O3, and Iron Oxide is composed of Fe2O3.
• Silica is Si bonded with O2, Alumina is Al2 bonded with O3, and Iron Oxide is Fe2 bonded with O3.

The main compounds of Nitroglycerin is glycerol and nitric acid.

• Nitroglycerin is composed of C3H5N3O9.

Nitroglycerin is C3H5 bonded with N3O9.

Chemistry's Role

Dynamite is a chemical explosive. An explosive that, once ignited, burns extremely rapidly. This produces a large amount of hot gas in the process. As the hot gas expands very rapidly and applies pressure to the casing it eventually combusts, causing an explosion.

Background Research

For obvious reasons I can’t tell you, the viewers, how to make dynamite. It is made in South Africa and the United States by manufacturers like Hercules Corporation. Dynamite is set of by lighting the fuse at the top of the stick and then once it hits the Nitroglycerin-soaked Diatomite, you get a giant explosion from the combustion of the materials.

Resources

http://science.howstuffworks.com/question397.htm

To learn what is dynamite and how it works.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

To research Diatomite.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_oxide

To research Iron Oxide.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/17897/alumina

To research Alumina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_dioxide

To research Silicon Dioxide

About the Author

Joesph Dalton is a Junior in high school. He is almost 17 years old. He likes all types of sports but fighting sports are his favorite. He is strong, enduring, smart, and a good person. He tries to make everyone happy even at the cost of his own. He likes to joke around with everyone.