How is ammonium nitrate used in fertilizers and explosives?

Ammonium nitrate ($N{H}_{4}N{O}_3$) is a versatile chemical compound produced by treating nitric acid with ammonia. Its applications are primarily divided between agriculture and industrial explosives.12

Use in Fertilizers

Ammonium nitrate is the most common nitrogenous component of artificial fertilizers. Commercial grades typically contain about 33.5 percent nitrogen, all of which is in a form that plants can readily utilize for growth. Manufacturers often produce the compound in specific grain sizes to ensure convenient application in agricultural settings.12

Use in Explosives

In the explosives industry, ammonium nitrate serves two main functions:
* Modification: It is used to adjust the detonation rate of other explosives, such as nitroglycerin, in products known as ammonia dynamites.1
* Oxidizing Agent: It acts as an oxidizer in mixtures called ammonals, which consist of ammonium nitrate combined with powdered aluminum.1

Because solid ammonium nitrate can undergo explosive decomposition when heated in confined spaces, its storage and shipment are subject to strict government regulations.1