1. Gas explosion can be simplified as an one-step, exothermic chemical reaction, as shown in Formula 1: CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O + 886.2kJ/mol (1) But in fact, the explosion is a very complicated branching chain chemical reaction.
Table of Contents
How do you make an explosion in a chemistry lab?

What chemical reactions can cause explosions?
Strong oxidizing agents that can cause explosions include perchlorates, inorganic nitrates, chlorates, chromates and the halogens. Strong oxidizing agents will also react violently with most organic compounds, powdered metals, sulphur, phosphorus, boron, silicon, and carbon.
What is the most explosive chemical?
Azidoazide azide is the most explosive chemical compound ever created. It is part of a class of chemicals known as high-nitrogen energetic materials, and it gets its “bang” from the 14 nitrogen atoms that compose it in a loosely bound state. This material is both highly reactive and highly explosive.
What reacts with water to make an explosion?
Water droplets (bottom frame) do not form spikes and do not, of course, react violently. For decades, science enthusiasts have delighted at the famously energetic way sodium and potassium explode on contact with water.
What two chemicals will explode when mixed?
Peroxides (inorganic), when mixed with combustible materials, barium, sodium, and potassium, form explosives that ignite easily. Phosphorus (P), both red and white, forms explosive mixtures with oxidizing agents. White (also called yellow) P should be stored under water, in glass, because it is pyrophoric.
What is a chem bomb?
Homemade chemical bombs (HCBs), also known as acid bombs, bottle bombs, and MacGyver bombs, are explosive devices that can be made easily from volatile household chemicals (e.g., toilet bowl, drain, and driveway cleaners) purchased at a local hardware or grocery store.
What is the best explosive?
One of the most powerful explosive chemicals known to us is PETN, which contains nitro groups which are similar to that in TNT and the nitroglycerin in dynamite. But the presence of more of these nitro groups means it explodes with more power.
What ingredients make a big explosion?
Explosives must contain a fuel and an oxidizer, which provides the oxygen needed to sustain the reaction. A common example is ANFo, a mixture of ammonium nitrate, which acts as the oxidizer, and fuel oil (the fuel source).
What two chemicals should never be mixed?
- Bleach and Ammonia = Toxic Chloramine Vapor.
- Bleach and rubbing alcohol = Toxic chloroform.
- Bleach and vinegar = Toxic Chlorine Gas.
- Vinegar and Peroxide = Paracetic Acid.
- Peroxide and Henna Hair Dye = Hair Nightmare.
How do you make a large explosion?
Pour some hydrogen peroxide into a soda bottle. Get a large 2 liter (0.5 US gal) soda bottle and pour in some hydrogen peroxide. The stronger (high concentration or percentage) the hydrogen peroxide you use, the bigger the explosion will be…but be careful: hydrogen peroxide can easily burn you!
What happens when you mix acetone with bleach?
In this example, mixing acetone with bleach creates toxic chemicals that could further react with any remaining bleach to create a fatal fume cloud. This reaction happens spontaneously and without warning. Mixing these two will form a corrosive, toxic chemical known as peracetic acid.
Can you make an explosive with sugar?
It’s easy to forget that sugar can be an explosive. In fact, it’s four times more powerful weight for weight than TNT. Forgetfulness here can have tragic consequences. In 2008, finely powdered sugar ignited at a refinery in Savannah, Georgia, causing a blast that claimed 14 lives.
What can cause an explosion without fire?
Dust explosions can occur when any distributed combustible dust is present in high enough quantities in the atmosphere or another oxidizing gaseous media, such as pure oxygen. A fuel-air explosion occurs when fuel is the explosive ingredient in a blast resulting in dust clouds.
What is C4 made of?
C4 was used during the Vietnam War as part of demolition blocks; today, it is commonly used in both military and civilian settings for demolition and flares. C4 is composed of RDX (91%), dioctyl sebacate (5.3%), polyisobutylene (2.1%), and mineral/motor oil (1.6%) [1].
Is C4 stronger than TNT?
C4 yields a higher peak pressure than TNT so the weight of C4 that yields a peak pressure equivalent to a given weight of TNT was determined based on the relationship that peak pressure is proportional to heat of detonation [4].
What is the fastest explosion?
Octanitrocubane has a detonation velocity of 10,100 m/s, making it the fastest known explosive.
What chemicals react violently with water?
- Lithium.
- Lithium Aluminum hydride.
- Magnesium (fine)
- Calcium (powders)
- Calcium nitride (powder)
- Calcium carbide (phosphide traces)
- Strontium (powder)
- Aluminum (fine)
What elements react violently with water?
The alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr) are the most reactive metals in the periodic table – they all react vigorously or even explosively with cold water, resulting in the displacement of hydrogen.
Can citric acid explode?
COLOURLESS CRYSTALS. Dust explosion possible if in powder or granular form, mixed with air. Decomposes above 175°C . The solution in water is a medium strong acid.
What household items can cause an explosion?
- Hot water heater.
- Food storage containers with spoiled food.
- Baked potatoes.
- Sausages.
- Light bulb.
- Beer bottle left in the freezer.
- Opening sealed containers in high altitudes.
- Aerosol cans in sunlight or heat.
What happens if you mix bleach and ammonia?
Mixing Bleach and Ammonia When bleach is mixed with ammonia, toxic gases called chloramines are produced. Exposure to chloramine gases can cause the following symptoms: Coughing. Nausea.
What happens if you mix hydrogen peroxide and acetone?
Hydrogen peroxide mixed with organic solvents is known to form dangerous peroxides. Hydrogen peroxide and acetone is an especially hazardous combination that can form various explosive peroxides when mixed at high concentration while using an acid catalyst.
Are chemical weapons illegal?
The international community banned the use of chemical and biological weapons after World War 1 and reinforced the ban in 1972 and 1993 by prohibiting their development, stockpiling and transfer.
What is the deadliest chemical weapon?
VX is the most potent of all nerve agents. Compared with the nerve agent sarin (also known as GB), VX is considered to be much more toxic by entry through the skin and somewhat more toxic by inhalation.