ed84c Posted February 8, 2004 Share Posted February 8, 2004 Nitrates are used in lots of oxidising ways; Saltpeter in Gunpowder and Nitrous Oxide in cars; but why are nitrogen compunds so used in these situations?, why are they so good at supplying oxygen? Why arnt other oxates used, and would those work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agaubr Posted February 8, 2004 Share Posted February 8, 2004 The formation of the nitrous oxides results from exposure of nitrogen to oxygen at high temperatures and oxidation occuirng so the nitrogen gets oxidized and the oxygen gets reduced. the oxides are the products of the reaction and from due to great theromdynamci heat sinks for these type of rections. Ag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemistry Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 There are plenty of better oxidizing agents. Its just that with nitrates the reaction is more "controlled" instead of spontaneous. And thus its use with gunpowders and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT2095 Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 the break down of nitrates, oten leave inert gasseos products too. as the above poster said, there are better oxidisers, but it also depends on the "job" they`re meant to perform. in the instance of gunpowder the use of Chlorates would be foolish as they react with sulpher compounds unfavorably. Perchlorates aren`t so bad if 100% pure, but they require a higher ingnition temp. the NO in a car will break down quite easily, but SO2 would eat your engine away, an plain old CO doesn`t burn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed84c Posted February 9, 2004 Author Share Posted February 9, 2004 Surely a less contrloed reaction would be less explosive and so less use in gunpowder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayonara Posted February 9, 2004 Share Posted February 9, 2004 "a less contrloed reaction would be less explosive" Think about that. Assuming you have reactions A and B going on, with equal explosive potential. Control one reaction, and not the other. Which one's going to react more violently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed84c Posted February 9, 2004 Author Share Posted February 9, 2004 i see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed84c Posted February 10, 2004 Author Share Posted February 10, 2004 I meant to say that is the below quote true if more controlled reactions should be less explosive "Its just that with nitrates the reaction is more "controlled" instead of spontaneous. And thus its use with gunpowders and such". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT2095 Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 nitrate SALTs are quite stable sure, organic nitrates on the other hand are an entirely different story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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