Understanding Nitrogen Triiodide Explosions

What is a common characteristic of all explosions?

• Low energy release

• Rapidly produced and expanding gases

• Slowly expanding gases

• Stable chemical compounds

What role does entropy play in the decomposition of NI3?

• It has no effect on the reaction

• It decreases the disorder of the system

• It stabilizes the crystalline structure

• It favors the reaction by increasing disorder

Why is nitrogen triiodide considered unstable?

• It experiences significant steric strain

• It has a high melting point

• It is a liquid at room temperature

• It forms strong bonds with oxygen

What is steric strain?

• The force that holds molecules together

• The energy required to break a bond

• The repulsion between non-bonded atoms

• The attraction between bonded atoms

What happens when a rock is lifted from the ground in terms of energy?

• It loses all energy

• Its kinetic energy decreases

• Its potential energy decreases

• Its potential energy increases

How is potential energy in molecules related to their ability to react?

• Higher potential energy means lower reactivity

• Potential energy does not affect reactivity

• Lower potential energy means higher reactivity

• Higher potential energy means higher reactivity

How does the bond energy of nitrogen molecules compare to that of NI3?

• NI3 has a higher bond energy

• Nitrogen has a higher bond energy

• Both have the same bond energy

• Nitrogen has a lower bond energy

What is the significance of the potential energy difference in NI3 decomposition?

• It stabilizes the iodine molecules

• It prevents the reaction from occurring

• It results in high-speed nitrogen molecules

• It causes the reaction to slow down

Why is nitrogen a component of powerful explosives?

• It reacts slowly

• It has a low potential energy

• It is visible during explosions

• It has a high potential energy

What is the result of the rapid decomposition of NI3?

• A decrease in entropy

• A stable gas formation

• A strong pressure wave

• A slow release of energy