Reasons for Choosing NH4NO3 - Essay Example

NH4NO3 is an essential component in the making of fertilizers and industrial explosives (Libes 699). Fertilizer in this case refers to an original or synthetic substance added to the soil to provide plants with the appropriate nutrients, hence enhancing growth.

Explosives refer to chemical substances that undergo certain processes characterized by the catastrophic release of energy, which in most cases destroys something within the vicinity. In the case of NH4NO3, the substance is a strong oxidizer whereby in the presence of an ignition source, hot places or fumes will result to fire catastrophically thus causing destruction (Libes 699). It is also an odorless, crystalline, and colorless substance soluble in both alcohol and water, which makes it an appropriate agent in making fertilizers (Ledgard 135).

On heating at approximately 2100C, its liquid solution decomposes to NO or laughing gas (Ledgard 135). Despite numerous studies citing that this compound as extremely explosive; its usage encompasses admixing with fuel oil, for instance, diesel or TNT. This implies one ought to be extra careful when both handling and preparing it. The latter is due hazardous due to inhaling fumes, which are poisonous and might lead to serious complications. Based on current chemical studies, NH4NO3 compared to other substances does not have high levels of toxicity except when swallowed in large amounts by both humans and animals.

This is especially through contaminated water or effluents that find their way into water sources unnoticed.