TNT is explosive for two reasons: TNT is composed of the elements carbon, oxygen and nitrogen. When TNT explodes it forms several covalent gases: CO, CO2 and N2 that are very stable. The production of these very low energy (stable) bonds means that a great deal of energy is released.
Why a TNT is an explosive material?
TNT is explosive for two reasons. First, it contains the elements carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, which means that when the material burns it produces highly stable substances (CO, CO2 and N2) with strong bonds, so releasing a great deal of energy.
What is more explosive than TNT?
PETN. 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.
