What is matter?
Mass
What are the states of mass?
Solid, Liquid, Gas
Define motion.
Movement of a body or its parts
Define velocity.
Distance covered in a given time
Define acceleration/deceleration.
Change in velocity
Define retardation.
Intentional slowing of a munition
Define work.
Application of force through a distance
What is energy?
Capacity to do work
Potential vs Kinetic energy?
Potential = stored, Kinetic = mass in motion
Newton’s First Law (UXO context)?
A body at rest stays at rest.
A body in motion stays in motion.
Inertia – explains base-detonating fuzes on impact
Newton’s Third Law?
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Definition of explosive?
Rapid chemical change to gas
High vs Low explosives?
High detonate; Low deflagrate (burn)
Detonation threshold?
≈ 3300 ft/s
Confinement effect on low explosives?
Can detonate up to 80× faster
High order detonation signs?
Dark gray/black smoke; sharp blast
Low order detonation signs?
White smoke; duller blast
Properties of explosives?
Potential, Stability, Sensitivity
Other properties?
Hygroscopicity, Reactivity, Compatibility, Toxicity
Low explosive train?
Primer → Igniter → Propellant
High explosive train?
Detonator → Booster → Main charge
Types of fragmentation?
Primary (casing), Secondary (target), Tertiary (debris)
Phases of a blast?
Positive (outward, fast); Negative (inward, slower)
Two main arming forces?
Acceleration (setback), Centrifugal
