2.1.2

Question 1

1. What is the definition of an explosion?

Answer 1

The violent and rapid decomposition of energetic material to produce heat and gas which will lead to violent pressure

Question 2

1. Definition of Deflagration?

Answer 2

subsonic combustion that usually propagates through thermal conductivity (hot burning material heats the next layer and ignites it)

Question 3

1. Definition of Detonation?

Answer 3

a supersonic exothermic front accelerating through a medium that drives a shock front directly in front of it

Question 4

1. What are the six requirements for military explosives?

Answer 4

Performance
Sensitivity (as insensitive as possible)
Stability and behaviour in storage
Water resistance
Consistency (castable; pressible)
Thermal behaviour

Question 5

1. What are the 5 factors affecting explosions?

Answer 5

Quality of initiating source
Nature of explosive
Mass of explosive
Unit density of explosive
Degree of confinement

Question 6

1. Define the Velocity of Detonation (VoD)

Answer 6

The rate, in metres per sec, at which the wave of detonation passes through an explosive substance

Question 7

1. What are the 4 factors affecting VoD?

Answer 7

Density of the charge
Charge diameter
Degree of confinement
Strength of detonator

Question 8

1. Define Figure of Insensitivity (FoI) ?

Answer 8

A relative number based on the ability of an explosive to remain insensitive to impact

Question 9

1. Define Figure of Power (FoP)?

Answer 9

The ability of an explosive to displace or shatter its surrounding medium. UK standard is TNT (100)

Question 10

2. What is the 2 main purposes for using smoke?

Answer 10

Screening

Signalling

Question 11

2. The 2 main types of Smoke Compositions are?

Answer 11

Zinc powder and zinc oxide with carbon tetrachloride absorbed on keiselguhr or magnesium carbonate

Zinc oxide, zinc powder and hexachlorethane (used in NATO)

Question 12

2. The simplest form of pyrotechnic smoke is produced by burning WP in air to form Phosphorus pentoxide. True or false?

Answer 12

True

Question 13

List 3 main types of EO which has a filling of WP as a screening smoke?

Answer 13

Grenades
Mortar bombs
Artillery projectiles

Question 14

Coloured smoke is used during daylight for signalling purposes, what are the 5 colours?

Answer 14

Red
Green
Blue/violet
Yellow
Orange