Answer Dynamite is one example of a chemical explosive . An explosive is anything that, once ignited, burns extremely rapidly and produces a large amount of hot gas in the process. The hot gas expands very rapidly and applies pressure. Other explosives that you commonly hear about are nitroglycerin and TNT, but anything from gasoline to ammonium nitrate fertilizer to special plastic explosives are in the same class. Gasoline is what we are probably most familiar with, so let's start with it.
Gasoline is made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms in chains.
Most true explosives contain the oxygen they need for burning in the chemical. This allows burning to occur much more quickly. The carbon and hydrogen combine with oxygen, and the nitrogen is liberated. The absorbent material makes the nitroglycerin much more stable. Inc. All rights reserved.