What process involves introducing nitryl (NO2) groups into a molecule?
- Nitration
- Detonation
- Combustion
- Decomposition
Correct Answer: Nitration
Correct Answer Explanation: Nitration is the chemical process of introducing nitryl (NO2) groups into a molecule. This process is fundamental to the creation of nitro-explosives.
What is the hexa-nitrate of cellulose, a highly explosive substance?
- Dynamite
- Gun-cotton
- Kieselguhr
- Fulminating mercury
Correct Answer: Gun-cotton
Correct Answer Explanation: Gun-cotton is the hexa-nitrate of cellulose, a powerful and explosive substance. It was discovered in 1846 by Schönbein and has been used extensively in military and industrial applications.
What is the name of the siliceous earth commonly used as an absorbent in dynamite?
- Kieselguhr
- Gun-cotton
- Fulminate
- Collodion-cotton
Correct Answer: Kieselguhr
Correct Answer Explanation: Kieselguhr is a type of siliceous earth composed of diatom skeletons. It acts as an absorbent, allowing for the safe handling and use of nitro-glycerine in dynamite.
Who invented dynamite in 1866?
- Alfred Nobel
- P. Gerald Sanford
- Friedrich August Kekule
- Dmitri Mendeleev
Correct Answer: Alfred Nobel
Correct Answer Explanation: Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist and engineer, invented dynamite in 1866. This innovation revolutionized the field of explosives, making them more controllable and safer to use.
What is the most common fulminate used in detonators?
- Fulminating mercury
- Gun-cotton
- Dynamite
- Collodion-cotton
Correct Answer: Fulminating mercury
Correct Answer Explanation: Fulminating mercury is the most common fulminate used in detonators. It is a highly sensitive explosive that readily explodes when struck or heated.
What is the name of the smokeless powder originally composed of nitro-glycerine, nitro-cellulose, and camphor?
- Ballistite
- Cordite
- Schultze powder
- Tonite
Correct Answer: Ballistite
Correct Answer Explanation: Ballistite is a smokeless powder, originally developed by Alfred Nobel, that was made from nitro-glycerine, nitro-cellulose, and camphor. It was a major advancement in propellant technology.
What is the name of the smokeless powder made from gun-cotton, nitro-glycerine, and vaseline?
- Cordite
- Ballistite
- Schultze powder
- Tonite
Correct Answer: Cordite
Correct Answer Explanation: Cordite is a type of smokeless powder that was developed in the late 19th century. It was made from gun-cotton, nitro-glycerine, and vaseline, and it became the standard smokeless powder used in the British military.
What is the name of the explosive mixture made from ammonium nitrate and chlorinated di-nitro-benzol, specifically designed for safe use in coal mines?
- Bellite
- Roburite
- Securite
- Tonite
Correct Answer: Roburite
Correct Answer Explanation: Roburite was developed as a safer alternative to other explosives for use in coal mines. It was made from ammonium nitrate and chlorinated di-nitro-benzol, and it was designed to be less sensitive to shock and heat.
What is the name of the explosive mixture made from ammonium nitrate and di- or tri-nitro-benzol?
- Bellite
- Roburite
- Securite
- Tonite
Correct Answer: Bellite
Correct Answer Explanation: Bellite was another type of explosive that was designed for safety. It was made from ammonium nitrate and di- or tri-nitro-benzol, and it was known for its relative safety and lack of freezing properties.
What is the name of the explosive mixture made from meta-di-nitro-benzol and ammonium nitrate?
- Bellite
- Roburite
- Securite
- Tonite
Correct Answer: Securite
Correct Answer Explanation: Securite is a type of explosive mixture that was developed in the late 19th century. It was made from meta-di-nitro-benzol and ammonium nitrate, and it was known for its relatively safe handling properties.
What is the name of the smokeless powder made from nitrated wood fiber?
- Cordite
- Ballistite
- Schultze powder
- Tonite
Correct Answer: Schultze powder
Correct Answer Explanation: Schultze powder was one of the first successful smokeless powders developed. It was made from nitrated wood fiber and was used in early small arms.
What is the name of the plastic material made by mixing pyroxyline (nitro-cellulose) with camphor?
- Cellulose
- Celluloid
- Collodion
- Kieselguhr
Correct Answer: Celluloid
Correct Answer Explanation: Celluloid was one of the first synthetic plastics, developed in the late 19th century. It was made by mixing pyroxyline (nitro-cellulose) with camphor, and it was used in a wide variety of applications, including photographic film, toys, and combs.
What is the name of the method used to evaluate the stability of explosives, measuring their resistance to decomposition at a specific temperature?
- Detonation test
- Stability test
- Heat test
- Combustion test
Correct Answer: Heat test
Correct Answer Explanation: The heat test is a standard method for evaluating the stability of explosives. It involves heating a sample of the explosive at a specific temperature and measuring the time it takes for the explosive to decompose.
What is the name of the process that involves mixing glycerine with sulfuric acid first to form sulpho-glyceric acid, which is then reacted with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids to produce nitro-glycerine?
- The Boutny process
- The Nathan Nitrator
- The Dynamite process
- The Gun-cotton process
Correct Answer: The Boutny process
Correct Answer Explanation: The Boutny process was an early method for manufacturing nitro-glycerine, which involved a two-step process of first forming sulpho-glyceric acid and then reacting it with nitric and sulfuric acids.
What is the name of a more modern and efficient nitrator that allows for both nitration and separation of nitro-glycerine in a single vessel?
- The Boutny process
- The Nathan Nitrator
- The Dynamite process
- The Gun-cotton process
Correct Answer: The Nathan Nitrator
Correct Answer Explanation: The Nathan Nitrator is a more modern and efficient nitrator that was designed to make the manufacture of nitro-glycerine safer and more efficient. It allows for both the nitration and separation of nitro-glycerine to occur in a single vessel.
What is the name of the explosive mixture made from gun-cotton and barium nitrate, often used in torpedoes and submarine blasting?
- Roburite
- Bellite
- Tonite
- Securite
Correct Answer: Tonite
Correct Answer Explanation: Tonite is a type of explosive mixture that was developed in the late 19th century. It was made from gun-cotton and barium nitrate, and it was designed for use in underwater blasting, torpedoes, and other military applications.
What is the chemical formula for the highest nitrate of cellulose, known as hexa-nitro-cellulose or gun-cotton?
- C12H14O4(O.NO2)6
- C6H7O2(ONO2)3
- C12H16O10
- C12H14O4(O.NO2)4
Correct Answer: C12H14O4(O.NO2)6
Correct Answer Explanation: The chemical formula for hexa-nitro-cellulose, also known as gun-cotton, is C12H14O4(O.NO2)6. This compound has the highest possible nitration level for cellulose, making it a very powerful and dangerous explosive.
What is the name of the mixture of lower nitrates of cellulose, soluble in ether-alcohol and used in various applications, including explosives and celluloid?
- Gun-cotton
- Kieselguhr
- Collodion-cotton
- Dynamite
Correct Answer: Collodion-cotton
Correct Answer Explanation: Collodion-cotton is a mixture of lower nitrates of cellulose, primarily the tetra- and penta-nitrates. It is soluble in ether-alcohol and was used in various applications, including explosives and the production of celluloid.
What is the approximate percentage of nitrogen in nitro-glycerine?
- 10.50%
- 18.50%
- 25.50%
- 32.50%
Correct Answer: 18.50%
Correct Answer Explanation: Nitro-glycerine contains approximately 18.50% nitrogen. This high nitrogen content contributes to its powerful explosive properties.
What is the approximate percentage of nitrogen in gun-cotton?
- 10.14%
- 12.75%
- 14.14%
- 15.50%
Correct Answer: 14.14%
Correct Answer Explanation: Gun-cotton contains approximately 14.14% nitrogen. This makes it a very powerful explosive, although it is less sensitive to shock and heat than nitro-glycerine.
What is the approximate percentage of nitrogen in collodion-cotton?
- 10.75%
- 12.75%
- 14.75%
- 16.75%
Correct Answer: 12.75%
Correct Answer Explanation: Collodion-cotton contains approximately 12.75% nitrogen. This lower nitrogen content compared to gun-cotton makes it less explosive, but it is still used in some applications.
What is the approximate amount of nitro-glycerine that a good kieselguhr should absorb?
- Two times its weight
- Three times its weight
- Four times its weight
- Five times its weight
Correct Answer: Four times its weight
Correct Answer Explanation: A good kieselguhr should be able to absorb about four times its weight in nitro-glycerine. This absorption capacity is crucial for making dynamite, as it helps to stabilize the nitro-glycerine and make it safer to handle.
What is the typical composition of ordinary dynamite?
- 50% nitro-glycerine and 50% kieselguhr
- 75% nitro-glycerine and 25% kieselguhr
- 90% nitro-glycerine and 10% kieselguhr
- 95% nitro-glycerine and 5% kieselguhr
Correct Answer: 75% nitro-glycerine and 25% kieselguhr
Correct Answer Explanation: Ordinary dynamite is typically composed of about 75% nitro-glycerine and 25% kieselguhr. This composition provides a balance between explosive power and safety.
What is the typical composition of blasting gelatine?
- 80-85% nitro-glycerine and 15-20% nitro-cotton
- 92-93% nitro-glycerine and 7-8% nitro-cotton
- 98-99% nitro-glycerine and 1-2% nitro-cotton
- 100% nitro-glycerine
Correct Answer: 92-93% nitro-glycerine and 7-8% nitro-cotton
Correct Answer Explanation: Blasting gelatine is a very powerful explosive made with a high percentage of nitro-glycerine and a small amount of nitro-cotton. It is typically made up of 92-93% nitro-glycerine and 7-8% nitro-cotton.
What is the approximate composition of gelignite?
- 50% nitro-glycerine, 10% nitro-cellulose, 15% wood-pulp, and 25% potassium nitrate
- 60.5% nitro-glycerine, 4.9% nitro-cellulose, 7.2% wood-pulp, and 27.4% potassium nitrate
- 70% nitro-glycerine, 5% nitro-cellulose, 10% wood-pulp, and 15% potassium nitrate
- 80% nitro-glycerine, 1% nitro-cellulose, 5% wood-pulp, and 14% potassium nitrate
Correct Answer: 60.5% nitro-glycerine, 4.9% nitro-cellulose, 7.2% wood-pulp, and 27.4% potassium nitrate
Correct Answer Explanation: Gelignite is a type of dynamite that is made with a mixture of nitro-glycerine, nitro-cellulose, wood-pulp, and potassium nitrate. It is typically composed of about 60.5% nitro-glycerine, 4.9% nitro-cellulose, 7.2% wood-pulp, and 27.4% potassium nitrate.
What is the approximate composition of Tonite No. 1?
- 51% gun-cotton and 49% barium nitrate
- 60% gun-cotton and 40% barium nitrate
- 70% gun-cotton and 30% barium nitrate
- 80% gun-cotton and 20% barium nitrate
Correct Answer: 51% gun-cotton and 49% barium nitrate
Correct Answer Explanation: Tonite No. 1 is a type of explosive mixture made with gun-cotton and barium nitrate. It is typically composed of about 51% gun-cotton and 49% barium nitrate.
What is the approximate composition of Cordite (original composition)?
- 30% gun-cotton, 60% nitro-glycerine, and 10% vaseline
- 37% gun-cotton, 58% nitro-glycerine, and 5% vaseline
- 40% gun-cotton, 55% nitro-glycerine, and 5% vaseline
- 45% gun-cotton, 50% nitro-glycerine, and 5% vaseline
Correct Answer: 37% gun-cotton, 58% nitro-glycerine, and 5% vaseline
Correct Answer Explanation: The original composition of Cordite, a type of smokeless powder, included 37% gun-cotton, 58% nitro-glycerine, and 5% vaseline. This combination provided a powerful and stable propellant for firearms.
What is the approximate composition of Ballistite (original composition)?
- 10% camphor, 100% nitro-glycerine, and 50% soluble nitro-cotton
- 15% camphor, 90% nitro-glycerine, and 50% soluble nitro-cotton
- 20% camphor, 85% nitro-glycerine, and 50% soluble nitro-cotton
- 25% camphor, 80% nitro-glycerine, and 50% soluble nitro-cotton
Correct Answer: 10% camphor, 100% nitro-glycerine, and 50% soluble nitro-cotton
Correct Answer Explanation: Ballistite, another early smokeless powder, was originally made with a blend of 10% camphor, 100% nitro-glycerine, and 50% soluble nitro-cotton. This composition contributed to its smokeless and powerful characteristics.
What is the approximate standard charge for Schultze powder?
- 32 grains
- 42 grains
- 52 grains
- 62 grains
Correct Answer: 42 grains
Correct Answer Explanation: The standard charge for Schultze powder, an early smokeless powder made from nitrated wood fiber, was approximately 42 grains. This amount provided sufficient power for small arms.
What is the approximate muzzle velocity of a 12-bore gun loaded with 42 grains of Schultze powder and 1-1/8 oz of No. 6 shot?
- 1,020 feet per second
- 1,120 feet per second
- 1,220 feet per second
- 1,320 feet per second
Correct Answer: 1,220 feet per second
Correct Answer Explanation: A 12-bore gun loaded with 42 grains of Schultze powder and 1-1/8 oz of No. 6 shot typically has a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,220 feet per second. This indicates the speed at which the shot leaves the barrel, which is crucial for hunting and target shooting.
What is the approximate specific gravity of nitro-glycerine?
- 1.3
- 1.4
- 1.5
- 1.6
Correct Answer: 1.6
Correct Answer Explanation: The specific gravity of nitro-glycerine is approximately 1.6. This means that it is denser than water.
What is the approximate specific gravity of gun-cotton (dry)?
- 1.00
- 1.02
- 1.04
- 1.06
Correct Answer: 1.06
Correct Answer Explanation: The specific gravity of dry gun-cotton is about 1.06. This means that it is slightly denser than water.
What is the approximate specific gravity of dynamite No. 1?
- 1.52
- 1.62
- 1.72
- 1.82
Correct Answer: 1.62
Correct Answer Explanation: The specific gravity of dynamite No. 1 is approximately 1.62. This makes it denser than water and helps it to sink during blasting operations.