• Question: why do chemicals explode when you mix them together and where do they get there energy from

    Asked by to Andrei, Ekbal, Gemma, Helen, Ruth on 18 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Helen Gath

      Helen Gath answered on 18 Jun 2014:

      Well, first of all, lets think what a chemical is. Chemicals are made up of atoms, which are the smallest, most basic unit of all element. They are so tiny that you need a VERY special microscope to see them. Here’s a good picture to help explain.
      http://www.universetoday.com/56747/atom-structure/

      In the centre of the atom are positively charged ‘sub-atomic’ particles, and whizzing around the outside are an equal number of negatively charged sub-atomic particles which are attracted to the positives. Remember how negatively and postively charged particles attract each other? The negative particles keep spinning/orbiting around the positive centre, just like the planets keep circling the sun.
      Every element on the earth has a different atomic structure – i.e. the number of positive and negative particle. Carbon , for example, is made of 6 positive particles and 6 negatives. Oxygen has 8 positives and 8 negatives.

      When you put some chemicals together, all their atoms want to move around and switch places. Their movements can release energy in the form of heat. Depending on how much movement there is, and how strong the attraction between negative and positives particles, the reaction may not even be noticeable, or SO much energy may be released that you get an explosion!

      I have tried to make this as simple as possible, but if you want more or less detail , let me know 🙂

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