General Questions These questions are not explicitly keyed to chapter topics; many requ...

General Questions

These questions are not explicitly keyed to chapter topics; many require integration of several concepts.

In 1947, Texas City, Texas, was devastated by the explosion of a shipload of ammonium nitrate, a compound intended to be used as a fertilizer. When heated, ammonium nitrate can decompose exothermically to N₂O and water.

If the heat from this exothermic reaction is contained, higher temperatures are generated, at which point ammonium nitrate can decompose explosively to N₂, H₂O, and O₂.

If oxidizable materials are present, fires can break out, as was the case at Texas City. Using the information in Appendix J, answer the following questions.

(a) How much thermal energy is evolved (at constant pressure and under standard conditions) by the first reaction?

(b) If 8.00 kg ammonium nitrate explodes (the second reaction), how much thermal energy is evolved (at constant pressure and under standard conditions)?