Which term refers to explosives that detonate with a chemical reaction moving faster than the speed of sound?

Which term refers to explosives that detonate with a chemical reaction moving faster than the speed of sound?

• A. Explosives that burn rapidly but slower than the speed of sound.
• B. Explosives that are used in fireworks.
• C. Explosives that require a nuclear fission.
• D. Explosives that detonate with a chemical reaction moving faster than the speed of sound.

Answer: (D)

Detonation describes explosives where the chemical reaction front moves faster than the speed of sound, creating a shock wave. This supersonic propagation is what makes detonation extremely powerful and destructive, as energy is released almost instantaneously in a compressive blast. The other ideas describe subsonic burning (deflagration), or general uses like fireworks, or a nuclear process, none of which match the chemical detonation concept. So the term that fits this description is detonation.

Detonation describes explosives where the chemical reaction front moves faster than the speed of sound, creating a shock wave. This supersonic propagation is what makes detonation extremely powerful and destructive, as energy is released almost instantaneously in a compressive blast. The other ideas describe subsonic burning (deflagration), or general uses like fireworks, or a nuclear process, none of which match the chemical detonation concept. So the term that fits this description is detonation.