Organic Chemistry E. The Explosive Substances

1. A mixture of which one of the following pairs of gases is the cause of occurrence of most of the explosions in mines? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2008 ,Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) Hydrogen and Oxygen
(b) Oxygen and Acetylene
(c) Methane and Air
(d) Carbon dioxide and Methane

Correct Answer: (c) Methane and Air

Solution:Generally, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen gases, etc., are found in mines. When combined with air, they cause an explosion. 5.15% of the amount of methane in air is explosive. In air, 12.5-74% presence of carbon monoxide is explosive. In air, a 4-74% carbon and hydrogen mixture may blast. Among the given options, in mines, mostly methane and air mixture causes explosions.

2. Which one of the following is not an explosive? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003, U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Trinitrotoluene (TNT)
(b) Trinitroglycerine
(c) Cyclotrimethylene Trinitramine (RDX)
(d) Nitrochloroform

Correct Answer: (d) Nitrochloroform

Solution:Nitrochloroform, also known as chloropicrin, is a chemical compound currently used as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide. It is also used as tear gas. It was manufactured for use as poison gas in World War I. Other options are explosives.

3. Which one of the following is not an explosive? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

(a) Nitrochloroform
(b) TNG
(c) TNT
(d) Potassium Chlorate

Correct Answer: (a) Nitrochloroform

Solution:Nitrochloroform, also known as chloropicrin, is a chemical compound currently used as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide. It is also used as tear gas. It was manufactured for use as poison gas in World War I. Other options are explosives.

4. 'Nobel oil' is the name of which one of the following explosives? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015]

(a) TNG
(b) TNP
(c) TNA
(d) TNT

Correct Answer: (a) TNG

Solution:Trinitroglycerin (TNG) also known as Nobel oil, is a explosive fluid. Chemically, it is an organic nitrate compound

5. RDX was invented by – [U.P. PCS (Mains) 2016]

(a) Alfred Nobel
(b) Soddy
(c) Hennig
(d) Bergellins

Correct Answer: (c) Hennig

Solution:RDX, the abbreviation of Research Department Explosive, is also called cyclonite. This powerful explosive was discovered by George Friedrich Hennig of Germany and patented in 1898 but not used until World War II, when most of the warring powers introduced it.

6. Which one of the following statements is correct? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) DDT is an antibacterial compound.
(b) TNT is an insecticide.
(c) RDX is an explosive.
(d) LSD is an antiviral compound.

Correct Answer: (c) RDX is an explosive.

Solution:RDX (Research Department Explosive) is an explosive solid, and its chemical formula is C₃H₆N₆O₆. Actually, RDX is cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine. It is also known as Cyclonite, Hexogen, and T-4. It is more powerful than TNT. The velocity of this explosive is 8750 m/sec. Due to its high explosive property, it was widely used in World War II. RDX is a colorless solid substance. It is obtained by fuming nitric acid with hexamine.

7. Which one of the following is another name of RDX? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2007 ,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

(a) Cyanohydrin
(b) Dextran
(c) Cyclohexane
(d) Cyclonite

Correct Answer: (d) Cyclonite

Solution:RDX (Research Department Explosive) is an explosive solid, and its chemical formula is C₃H₆N₆O₆. Actually, RDX is cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine. It is also known as Cyclonite, Hexogen, and T-4. It is more powerful than TNT. The velocity of this explosive is 8750 m/sec. Due to its high explosive property, it was widely used in World War II. RDX is a colorless solid substance. It is obtained by fuming nitric acid with hexamine.

8. What is/are the full form(s) of HMX?

High Melting Explosive.
High-Density Monoatomic Xenon.
Hedge Monetizing Xeno-currency.
Her Majesty's Explosive.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 1
(d) 1 and 4

Correct Answer: (c) Only 1

Solution:HMX is a man-made, colourless liquid chemical which stands for High Melting Explosive. HMX, also called octogen, is a powerful and relatively insensitive nitroamine high explosive, chemically related to RDX. The compound's name is the subject of much speculation, having been variously listed as or High-Molecular-weight RDX.

9. Which one of the following is used as an explosive? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2009]

(a) Phosphorus Trichloride
(b) Mercuric Oxide
(c) Graphite
(d) Nitroglycerine

Correct Answer: (d) Nitroglycerine

Solution:Nitroglycerine is a heavy, colorless, and oily liquid explosive. It is also known as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) or 1,2,3-trinitroxypropane.

10. Which one of the following explosives does not contain nitroglycerine as an essential constituent? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

(a) Cordite
(b) Blasting Gelatine
(c) Dynamite
(d) Amatol

Correct Answer: (d) Amatol

Solution:Cordite, blasting gelatin, and dynamite contain nitroglycerin as an essential constituent, while a highly explosive element is Amatol. It is composed of ammonium nitrate and TNT (Trinitrotoluene) in varying ratios.