HLSS 230 Homework Assignment Week 1

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Feb 20, 2024

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Homework Assignment Week 1 Jonathan Hodges February 9, 2024 1.Define the term explosive. An explosive substance is a material that has the ability to undergo a chemical reaction that produces gas. This gas is generated at a high temperature and pressure, and it is released rapidly. The rapid release of gas creates an explosion, which can cause damage to the surrounding environment. Explosive substances can be in the form of solids or liquids, or they can be a mixture of different substances. Even pyrotechnic substances, which are used in fireworks and other displays, are considered explosives because they have the potential to cause damage, even if they do not produce gases. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2012, May 25). Hazard Communication - Appendix B: Physical Hazard Criteria . Www.osha.gov. https://www.osha.gov/hazcom/appendix-b 2.Explain the difference between HE & LE. HE and LE refer to different types of explosives: High Explosives (HE) and Low Explosives (LE). The main difference between HE and LE lies in their combustion characteristics. HE, or High Explosives, have a very rapid and violent combustion process. When unconfined and placed in a straight line, HE will detonate. Detonation is a rapid and self-
propagating reaction that involves the almost instantaneous release of a large amount of energy. This results in a shockwave and the generation of high pressures and temperatures. Examples of HE includes TNT (trinitrotoluene) and C-4 (Composition 4). On the other hand, LE, or Low Explosives, have a slower and less violent combustion process. When unconfined and placed in a straight line, LE will deflagrate. Deflagration is a combustion process that involves a subsonic flame front moving through the explosive material. It is characterized by a slower propagation speed compared to detonation. Examples of LE include black powder and gunpowder. In summary, the difference between HE and LE lies in the speed and violence of their combustion processes. HE will detonate, while LE will deflagrate when unconfined and placed in a straight line. Fordham, S. (2013). High Explosives and Propellants . Elsevier. 3.Which website/s provides safety precautions for handling explosives? https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3912.pdf https://www.atf.gov/explosives https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Environmental/Formerly-Used-Defense-Sites/3Rs-of- Explosives-Safety-Information/ 4.Do all explosives substances produce heat? Explain your answer. All explosive substances produce heat because they undergo a process called combustion. Combustion is a chemical reaction that involves the rapid combination of a fuel (the explosive substance) with oxygen, resulting in the release of energy in the form of heat and light.
Explosives can either deflagrate or detonate. Deflagration is a rapid combustion process where the fuel burns at a fast rate, producing heat and a flame front that propagates through the substance. Detonation, on the other hand, is an even more rapid and violent form of combustion. It involves a shock wave that travels through the substance, causing a sudden and intense release of energy in the form of heat and pressure. O’Connor, B. (2023, March 23). Explosions, Deflagrations, and Detonations . Nfpa.org; The National Fire Protection Association. https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2023/03/27/explosions-vs- deflagrations-vs-detonations 5.Which explosive is noted as the first recorded explosive composition/substance? Gunpowder, also known as black powder, is believed to have been the first explosive component. In 220 BC, an accident involving black powder was reported in China, where alchemists accidentally produced black powder while attempting to separate gold from silver during a low-temperature reaction. According to Dr. Heizo Mambo, alchemists added potassium nitrate, saltpeter (KNO3), and sulfur to the gold ore in their furnace; however, the addition of charcoal was mistakenly omitted in the first step of the reaction. Attempting to rectify their errors, they added charcoal in the final step, unaware that they had just created a black powder, which resulted in a massive explosion. Akhavan, J. (2015).   The Chemistry of Explosives   (3rd ed.). Ingram Publisher Services UK- Academic.   https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9781782626299
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