CES Explosive Materials & Chemical Composition 3

Question 1

Nitroglycerin (NG) is chemically unstable in pure form. What chemical process causes pure NG to degrade over time?

Accepted Answer

Hydrolysis and acid decomposition, which lowers pH and accelerates self-decomposition

Answer

Pure nitroglycerin slowly hydrolyzes, producing nitric and nitrous acids that catalyze further decomposition—this is why dynamite uses NG absorbed in diatom earth or other stabilizers.

Question 2

Which component of dynamite was Nobel's key innovation over pure nitroglycerin?

Accepted Answer

Kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth) as an absorbent to stabilize liquid nitroglycerin

Answer

Nobel discovered that absorbing liquid nitroglycerin into kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth) produced a stable, handleable explosive that still detonated reliably with a blasting cap.

Question 3

In the context of explosive chemistry, what is 'brisance'?

Accepted Answer

The shattering effect of an explosive, related to its detonation velocity and pressure

Answer

Brisance describes the shattering or crushing effect of an explosive detonation, which is proportional to detonation pressure and velocity of detonation (VOD).

Question 4

Ammonium nitrate (AN) undergoes thermal decomposition at elevated temperatures. At approximately what temperature does AN begin to decompose dangerously?

Accepted Answer

Above 230°C (446°F)

Answer

Ammonium nitrate decomposes more rapidly above 230°C and can undergo explosive decomposition, especially in confined conditions or in the presence of contaminants.

Question 5

What is the chemical formula for PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate)?

Accepted Answer

C₅H₈N₄O₁₂

Answer

PETN (C₅H₈N₄O₁₂) is a nitrate ester high explosive with one of the highest detonation velocities among common commercial explosives.

(CES) Certified Explosives Specialist Practice Test

(CES) Certified Explosives Specialist Practice Test

CES Explosive Materials & Chemical Composition 3