What are facts about ammonium nitrate?

Answer 1

It was developed by Germans during a war to replace Chilean Nitrates as Fertilizer. A boatload of it blew up in Texas City. Mines now use it to replace dynamite. It is a whole lot less expensive. It is also used as fertilizer. Plants use the Nitrate part immediately. The Ammonia part slowly turns to a form of nitrogen that plants can use. Plants turn nitrogen into protein.

Answer 2

Ammonium nitrate is commonly used as a fertilizer due to its high nitrogen content. It is also used in the production of explosives, particularly in mining and construction industries. However, when stored or handled improperly, it can pose a significant risk of explosion, as seen in tragic incidents such as the 1947 Texas City disaster and the 2015 Tianjin explosions.