Physics
Texas disaster: What links fertilisers and explosions?
An explosion at a fertiliser plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas, has injured over 160 people and caused up to 15 deaths. Nearby buildings were also destroyed by the blast, which occurred at 7.50 pm local time (12.50 am GMT). The cause of the explosion is thought to be accidental, but fertilisers, notoriously, can be used in home-made bombs and nitrogen, one of the key elements they contain, is central to TNT and other explosives. New Scientist investigates
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