UK Chemistry Olympiad

Writing ‘explosive’ equations | Chemistry Olympiad worked answers

In association with

A long green-blue fuse burns against a black background, giving off orange sparks and grey smoke

Source: © Shutterstock

Practise writing equations in the context of explosives in this worked example of a Chemistry Olympiad question. Includes video walkthrough and transcript.

In this question from the 2011 UK Chemistry Olympiad round one paper, students work with the general formula for certain high explosives, calculating the oxygen balance of RDX and writing the equation for the explosion of TNT. The resource features a video walkthrough to help students if they get stuck or want to check their working.

The question is low difficulty, and covers the following chemistry topics:

  • Quantitative chemistry
  • Writing equations
  • Mole calculations

Thanks for using the RSC’s education resources. You can view one resource per month as a visitor, or two resources per month when you’re logged in with a personal account.

A photograph of a teacher standing in a white lab coat, speaking with a class of children in a laboratory, is superimposed on a colourful background. Text reads "Teach Chemistry means support for classroom and staff room".

Register for Teach Chemistry for free, unlimited access

Registration is open to all teachers and technicians at secondary schools, colleges and teacher training institutions in the UK and Ireland.

Get all this, plus much more: 

  • unlimited access to resources, core practical videos and Education in Chemistry articles
  • teacher well-being toolkit, personal development resources and online assessments
  • applications for funding to support your lessons

Set up your Teach Chemistry account

Already a Teach Chemistry member? Sign in now.

Not a science teacher or technician based in the UK or Ireland? Don’t worry – you can also access all our resources with Royal Society of Chemistry membership.