What is ammonium nitrate the chemical behind the Beirut explosion?

Lebanese authorities say that the explosion, which killed at least 220 people, injured more than 5,000 and left an estimated 300,000 people homeless, was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer, which had been stored for 6 years at a port warehouse.

Which chemical is used in high explosive as oxidizing agent?

Ammonium perchlorate can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases, such as chlorine, hydrogen chloride and nitrogen oxides. Closed containers or tanks may rupture and explode if heated. It does not burn but is a powerful oxidizer and explosive when mixed with combustible materials.

Which chemical is used in explosion?

TNT. One of the most commonly known explosive chemicals is trinitrotoluene, or TNT, which has featured extensively in video games and films.

What caused the Oppau explosion?

The explosion occurred on September 21, 1921, when a silo that was storing 4,500 tonnes of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate fertilizer mixture exploded at the Oppau plant in Germany. The blast was felt for miles, damaging the factory and the surrounding community.

What does ammonium nitrate do?

Used to make fertilizers and explosives, and as a nutrient in producing antibiotics and yeast. Ammonium nitrate is the ammonium salt of nitric acid. It has a role as a fertilizer, an explosive and an oxidising agent. It is an inorganic molecular entity, an ammonium salt and an inorganic nitrate salt.

Is ammonium nitrate an explosive?

Ammonium nitrate, which is used in fertilizers and bomb making, is a salt made from ammonium and nitric acid, and it is highly explosive. The more ammonium nitrate, or NH4-NO3, the bigger its explosive capacity.

Where did the Oppau explosion happen?

The Oppau explosion occurred on September 21, 1921, when approximately 4,500 tonnes of a mixture of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate fertilizer stored in a tower silo exploded at a BASF plant in Oppau, now part of Ludwigshafen, Germany, killing 500–600 people and injuring about 2,000 more.

What are explosives made of?

Chemical composition A chemical explosive may consist of either a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer, such as black powder or grain dust and air.

What is an explosive substance?

An explosive substance is a solid or liquid substance (or mixture of substances) which is in itself capable by chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings. An explosive article is an article containing one or more explosive substances.