Nitrogen

Atomic # = 7
Atomic weight = 14.007

Nitrogen is found in large amounts in fertilizer.  One simple example of a nitrogen-containing explosive is nitrogen triiodide (NI₃).   Nitrogen triiodide, like many explosives, forms N₂ gas upon detonation:

2 NI₃ (s) –> 3 I₂ (g) + N₂ (g)

The formation of N₂ (g) releases almost a megajoule per mole.  This energy release upon the formation of N₂ (g) is the reason why nitrogen is a common component in explosives.

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