Chemical Explosive - Balancing Chemical Explosion Equations

Balancing Chemical Explosion Equations

In order to assist in balancing chemical equations, an order of priorities is presented in table 1. Explosives containing C, H, O, and N and/or a metal will form the products of reaction in the priority sequence shown. Some observation you might want to make as you balance an equation:

  • The progression is from top to bottom; you may skip steps that are not applicable, but you never back up.
  • At each separate step there are never more than two compositions and two products.
  • At the conclusion of the balancing, elemental nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen are always found in diatomic form.
Table 1. Order of Priorities
Priority Composition of explosive Products of decomposition Phase of products
1
 A metal and chlorine Metallic chloride
Solid
2
 Hydrogen and chlorine HCl
Gas
3
 A metal and oxygen Metallic oxide
Solid
4
 Carbon and oxygen CO
Gas
5
 Hydrogen and oxygen H2O
Gas
6
 Carbon monoxide and oxygen CO2
Gas
7
 Nitrogen N2
Gas
8
 Excess oxygen O2
Gas
9
 Excess hydrogen H2
Gas
10
 Excess carbon C
Solid

Example, TNT:

C6H2(NO2)3CH3; → : 7C + 5H + 3N + 6O

Using the order of priorities in table 1, priority 4 gives the first reaction products:

7C + 6O → 6CO with one mol of carbon remaining

Next, since all the oxygen has been combined with the carbon to form CO, priority 7 results in:

3N → 1.5N2

Finally, priority 9 results in: 5H → 2.5H2

The balanced equation, showing the products of reaction resulting from the detonation of TNT is:

C6H2(NO2)3CH3 → 6CO + 2.5H2 + 1.5N2 + C

Notice that partial moles are permitted in these calculations. The number of moles of gas formed is 10. The product carbon is a solid.

Read more about this topic:  Chemical Explosive

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