Lesson 3 - Explosives

Explosives

Explosives used for criminal activity and those used by the military are different. Military explosives are mass-produced. They are developed and constructed using standard designs and components and are intended to be deployed in standard ways. An explosive used by a criminal suspect(s) is known as a civilian bomb or improvised explosive device (IED). IEDs are usually custom-made using a wide range of explosives. These explosives have varying levels of explosive power and chemical stability and are used in many ways.

Explosives

Explosives contain one or more chemical compounds that when detonated decompose or react very rapidly releasing gas, heat, and violent destructive shock waves. Detonation of an explosive device involves exposing the chemical compounds to heat or movement (mechanical shock or friction). Often explosives are placed within a metal casing that, when exposed to heat or shock, allows the pressure inside to increase until it bursts and fragments. The pieces of the explosive casing that blast outward at very high speeds are called shrapnel and can cause extensive damage to people, buildings, airplanes, vehicles, and anything else in the immediate area of the explosive blast.

Explosive weapons used by military air forces and naval aviation that are airdropped and free-fall are called "bombs" by the military. Other military explosive devices are called grenades, shells, depth charges, or warheads (when in missiles or land mines).detectors)

Glossary Term: Flash Point

  • The lowest temperature at which the vapour of a combustible liquid can be made to ignite momentarily in air