The author replies to Jones

The comments by Dr. Jones are very appropriate and further extend the discussion-comparison of rates of reactions. The comments help to explain the differences in rates of reactions for explosions versus combustion reactions. The comparison of the energy in a candle with that of an equivalent mass of dynamite is an interesting one for students to consider. The comparison of energy available from equivalent masses of propane and TNT provides an excellent example for distinguishing the difference between total heat of combustion and blast energy potential (brisance).

The comparisons could be used in the context of a general chemistry stoichiometric mole problem. If students were given the structures and heats of combustion per mole for both TNT and propane, they could determine the energy available from one kilogram of each. After having found out that propane has more energy available, an explanation of the significance of blast energy potential (brisance) could be used to explain the explosive properties of TNT. The discussion should also include the comment that explosives commonly have both the oxidizer and the fuel in the same structure and this significantly increases the rate of reaction to the point of creating an explosive process.