Explosives
What is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy and can produce an explosion if released suddenly?
Explosive
True or False: An explosion is usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure.
True
What term refers to any chemical compound or mixture that, when exposed to heat, pressure, friction, or shock, undergoes a sudden chemical change or decomposition?
Explosive
Which of the following factors can trigger the sudden decomposition of an explosive substance?
All of the above
What happens when an explosive compound undergoes sudden decomposition?
It produces a rapid release of energy
Explosives are substances that only react when exposed to heat.
Partly true
The history of modern chemical explosives is closely linked to the history of which substance?
Gunpowder
In which country is gunpowder believed to have originated?
China
During which dynasty is gunpowder thought to have been first developed?
Tang Dynasty
In which century is gunpowder believed to have been invented?
9th or 10th century
True or False: Gunpowder was first developed in Europe during the Middle Ages.
False
Basic gunpowder back then was made from coal, saltpetre, and sulfur as early as 1044 AD. Saltpetre is also called ____________.
Potassium Nitrate
Records of the Chinese using explosives for warfare were recorded around the year ___________.
1161 AD
Explosives are commonly classified according to the following, except:
Based on their melting point
What classification of explosives is determined by the molecular makeup of the substance?
Based on chemical structure
How are explosives classified if they are grouped by what they break down into after detonation?
Based on decomposition products
Explosives can be classified into ____________ and ___________ explosives based on the velocity of reaction.
high, low
What is the defining characteristic of high explosives?
They detonate and produce a supersonic shockwave
High explosives undergo detonation at speeds:
Equal to or greater than 1000 m/s
The term supersonic in high explosives refers to:
The speed of the shockwave being faster than the speed of sound
Which of the following is a major category of high explosives?
Primary explosives
Primary explosives are characterized by:
High sensitivity to heat, friction, or impact
What is the main difference between primary and secondary explosives?
Primary explosives are highly sensitive and initiate detonation, while secondary explosives require an external detonation source
What is the main characteristic of low explosives?
They burn through deflagration
The reaction speed of low explosives is:
Less than 1000 m/s
Deflagration refers to:
A rapid but subsonic combustion process
Unlike high explosives, low explosives:
Burn progressively rather than detonate
Which type of low explosive is used to ignite another substance?
Igniter
Which of the following is an example of a low explosive?
Gunpowder
Which of the following is NOT a category of organic explosives?
Perchlorate-based salts
Which of these groups is commonly found in organic explosives?
Nitrate ester group
Inorganic explosives typically consist of:
Salts and other non-carbon-based compounds
Which of the following is a common decomposition product of explosives containing nitro groups?
Nitrates and nitrites
What type of decomposition product is typically formed from the breakdown of azide-based explosives?
Azides
Which of the following are types of explosives based on their decomposition products?
nitrites and nitrates
azides
halogenated amines
fulminates
chlorates and perchlorates
peroxides
ozonides
acetylene and acetylides
organometallic
Enumerate 5 explosives under military explosives.
1. Composition-4
2. Amatol
3. Cyclotol
4. Picratol
5. Tritonal
True or False: Industrial explosives include dynamites, ammonium nitrate, and water explosives.
True
What is the primary explosive component in C-4?
RDX (Cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine)
C-4 is primarily used in which type of applications?
Military and demolition
What is the main purpose of the plasticizers in C-4?
Make it malleable and reduce brittleness
What color does C-4 typically appear as?
Dirty white to light brown
C-4 is resistant to which of the following?
Shock, friction, and fire
What happens when C-4 is exposed to a flame?
It burns slowly rather than detonating
At which temperature range does C-4 function reliably?
-70°F to 170°F
C-4’s primary decomposition products include all of the following EXCEPT:
Oxygen (O₂)
Which component in C-4 helps reduce sensitivity to shock and heat?
Polyisobutylene
What happens when C-4 detonates?
RDX undergoes a rapid chemical reaction releasing immense energy
Which of the following is a key characteristic of C-4’s texture?
Putty-like consistency similar to modeling clay
What makes C-4 safer during handling compared to other explosives?
Its slow burn when exposed to fire
What percentage of C-4 is made up of non-explosive plasticizers?
9%
What is the primary hazard associated with C-4, despite its high stability?
Accidental detonation during handling
Which decomposition products are primarily released when C-4 detonates?
Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and water
C-4 is often used in controlled demolitions. What is the main purpose of using C-4 in this context?
To safely demolish buildings or structures
In which of the following engineering and construction applications might C-4 be used?
For removing large rock formations during infrastructure projects
C-4 is utilized in military operations for what purpose?
Breaching obstacles and disabling equipment
What is the primary chemical reaction that forms urea nitrate?
Urea reacts with nitric acid
Which of the following is true about the formation of urea nitrate?
The reaction is exothermic, releasing heat
What type of explosive was used in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing?
Urea nitrate-based explosive
What was the key characteristic of the Urea Nitrate-based devices used in the Amman hotel bombings?
They were responsible for killing 60 people and injuring over 115
What is the solubility of urea nitrate in water?
Moderately soluble in water
When dissolved in water, what is the pH of urea nitrate?
Acidic
Which of the following is true about the stability of urea nitrate?
It is very stable under normal storage conditions
What is the typical appearance of urea nitrate?
White crystalline granules or a fine powder
Which of the following is the typical texture of urea nitrate?
Grainy or slightly coarse
How should urea nitrate be handled to ensure safety?
It is relatively easy to handle in dry form but hazardous when mixed with fuels or under confined conditions
What is the detonation velocity of urea nitrate?
4,700 to 5,300 m/s
What is the energy output range of urea nitrate?
3.8–4.2 MJ/kg
Which of the following is required to initiate urea nitrate?
A booster charge or detonator
What is the chemical formula of urea nitrate?
CH₄N₂O·HNO₃
Which of the following best classifies urea nitrate as an explosive?
High explosive
Which type of explosives is urea nitrate similar to in destructive power?
Ammonium nitrate-based explosives
What is the typical texture of urea nitrate in its crystalline form?
Grainy or slightly coarse
True or False: Urea nitrate is sensitive to initiation and can detonate when subjected to sufficient shock, heat, or friction. This pertains to its sensitivity.
False
What is the primary reason thermobaric weapons are more destructive in enclosed spaces?
The blast wave reverberates and intensifies due to confinement
How do thermobaric weapons differ from conventional explosives in terms of explosion dynamics?
They create a prolonged thermal pulse along with a blast wave
Which of the following best describes the two-stage detonation process of thermobaric weapons?
Fuel dispersal → Ignition → High-pressure explosion → Vacuum effect
The term “vacuum bomb” refers to thermobaric weapons due to:
Their ability to suck in all surrounding oxygen after detonation
What is the primary role of the external secondary charge in a thermobaric explosion?
To disperse and ignite the fuel cloud
Which of the following is NOT commonly used as an additive in thermobaric munitions?
Lead
Which component of a thermobaric weapon ensures an extended thermal pulse?
Fuel-rich formulation
What is the main purpose of adding aluminum to thermobaric fuels?
To enhance the post-detonation thermal effects
Why are fine powders such as zirconium and carbon added to thermobaric explosives?
To increase the reaction temperature and prolong the blast
Which of the following is TRUE about the fuel component of a thermobaric weapon?
It exists as an aerosol, gas, or flammable liquid before detonation
How do thermobaric rockets differ from conventional explosive warheads in appearance?
They have distinctive warhead shapes to optimize fuel dispersal
In addition to destruction, what secondary effect can thermobaric explosions cause?
Flash burns and severe lung injuries
These explosives disperse a cloud of gas, liquid, or powdered fuel, which mixes with oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a powerful blast.
Thermobaric Explosives
What is the primary advantage of the aerosol cloud dispersing before detonation?
It enables the explosive to spread around obstacles and into enclosed spaces
Why does the second charge create a vacuum effect after detonation?
The rapid expansion of gases is followed by a sudden pressure drop
What is the main difference between thermobaric explosions and conventional high-explosive detonations?
Thermobaric weapons rely on environmental oxygen to sustain combustion
True or False: Thermobaric rockets all resemble conventional bombs or missiles in overall shape and size.
False
Why are thermobaric weapons classified as high-explosive (HE) rather than incendiary munitions?
Their destructive power comes from blast overpressure and heat rather than sustained burning
Why are air-dropped thermobaric bombs more effective than RPGs in large-scale destruction?
Air-dropped bombs disperse a larger fuel cloud for a more powerful explosion
Which type of delivery system is best suited for targeting underground bunkers with thermobaric weapons?
Artillery shells or missiles
What is the purpose of the first charge in a thermobaric weapon?
To disperse the fuel cloud and mix it with oxygen
Which of the following is a common type of thermobaric fuel?
Powdered metals like aluminum
Which of the following best describes the ignition phase?
A secondary charge detonates the fuel-air mixture
What phase of a thermobaric explosion is responsible for its delayed detonation?
Fuel dispersal and mixing with air
What causes the pressure wave in a thermobaric explosion?
The rapid combustion of the dispersed fuel-air mixture
What is a key feature of the fireball created by thermobaric explosions?
It can reach temperatures as high as 2,500°C (4,500°F)
True or False | The primary charge in a thermobaric weapon is responsible for the explosion itself.
False (It disperses the fuel cloud)
True or False | The vacuum effect in a thermobaric explosion makes it less destructive in open spaces.
True
True or False | The pressure wave in a thermobaric explosion only moves outward from the blast center.
False (It moves outward first, then reverses inward)