Question

Assertion :Decomposition of nitroglycerin takes place violently. Reason: The decomposition of nitroglycerin is autocatalysed reaction.

• A. Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion
• B. Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation for Assertion
• C. Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect
• D. Both Assertion and Reason are incorrect

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both Assertion and Reason are correct and Reason is the correct explanation for Assertion

Nitroglycerin is an oily, colourless liquid, but also a high explosive that is so unstable that the slightest jolt, impact or friction can cause it to spontaneously detonate. Since the molecule contains oxygen, nitrogen and carbon, when it explodes a lot of energy is released as the atoms rearrange to form new molecules with strong, stable bonds, like N₂ and CO.

$4C_3{H}_5{N}_3{O}_9\to 6N_2\left(g\right)+12CO\left(g\right)+10H_{2}O\left(g\right)+7O_2\left(g\right)$

It is the speed of the decomposition reaction which makes nitroglycerin such a violent explosive. Unlike burning, which can only travel as fast as the flame front can move through the material, high explosives are decomposed almost instantaneously by a supersonic shock wave passing through the material. So the decomposition of nitroglycerin takes place violently and it is autocatalaysed reaction.