There is a quick way to determine if it is TNT or dynamite. White powder in stick form means dynamite, while TNT is a yellow crystal.
Many people mistakenly believe that these two terms are interchangeable. The common misconception seems to be that dynamite is an informal term and TNT is the chemical name. However, that is simply not the case.
A Quick History Lesson
Alfred Nobel, a chemist from Sweden was trying to find a way to stabilize nitroglycerin when he patented dynamite in 1867. Just by combining diatomaceous earth with sodium carbonate, Nobel reinvented explosives.
Even though TNT is a high explosive as well, they are not one and the same. A yellow-colored compound known by its chemical name trinitrotoluene is what is more commonly known as TNT. It was first discovered by Joseph Wilbrand in 1863 in Germany.
The Proof is in the Power
TNT is not as powerful as dynamite, nor is it as easy to detonate. The primary advantage of TNT over dynamite is that it is much less volatile. In addition, TNT may be melted down in order to pour it into shell casings. However, there is a major downside, which is the extreme toxicity of TNT.
Even though TNT packs a considerable punch, it is frequently combined with other materials. By mixing ammonium nitrate with TNT, a military explosive known as amatol is created. Combining that mixture with aluminum powder will produce an industrial explosive by the name of ammonal.
The approximate energy density for dynamite is 7.5 mega joules per kilogram. The less powerful TNT has an approximate energy density of only 4.6 mega joules per kilogram.
Available Forms of Dynamite
Dynamite is typically sold in the form of sticks. The most popular size is a stick that is roughly eight inches in length with a diameter of one inch. However, there are additional size options available. It is categorized as a high explosive due to the fact that it does not deflagrate, but instead detonates.
Another form is made up of nitroglycerin that is dissolved in nitrocellulose with a minimal amount of ketone. Much like cordite, this form is safe than the less complex combination of diatomaceous earth and nitroglycerin.
Dynamite is currently being used for a number of applications in the demolition, construction, quarrying and mining industries. In the past, it was used as a weapon in the military, but has sense been replaced by other weapons.