TNT (Trinitrotoluene) Movies

TNT (Trinitrotoluene) Video No. 1 - As a crystalline preparation of the explosive TNT is slowly heated, the crystallites melt and form a liquid phase. The digital sequence was captured with time-lapese cinemicrography using polarized illumination at a magnification of 100x and a playing time of 14.9 seconds. Choose a playback format that matches your connection speed: 28.8k (modem), 56.6k (modem), or T1/Cable/DSL, or download this video clip in MPEG format (6.21 MB).

TNT (Trinitrotoluene) Video No. 2 - Large dendritic crystallites of trinitrotoluene (TNT) slowly grow as the temperature is reduced in a microscope hot stage. The digital movie was taken with polarized illumination at a magnification of 200x and a playing time of 12.6 seconds. Choose a playback format that matches your connection speed: 28.8k (modem), 56.6k (modem), or T1/Cable/DSL, or download this video clip in MPEG format (5.37 MB).

Trinitrotoluene (more commonly known as the explosive TNT) is a nitrated toluene derivative that exists as a pale yellow, crystalline solid at room temperature and melts at 82º C (178º F). The chemical is prepared by carefully nitrating toluene, and is often used as a high explosive. Unlike nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene does not explode when affected by ordinary shocks and jarring. Its melting point is much lower than the temperature at which it explodes, making it safe to melt in steam-heated vessels and pour into artillery casings. Because it does not explode below 240º C (464º F), it must be ignited with a detonator, making it a favored chemical explosive for munitions and demolitions.