8 KAPOW / May, 2014
Explosions
An explosion occurs due to chemical reactions. Chemical reactions release phyisical and chemical energy with light, heat, and sound in a short period of time. The causes for explosions can range from a simple home accident to a terrorist incident.
Composition
The composition of an explosive can be simple, some only needing a timer or a remote control. With those two things, an initial spark can be created to ignite the explosive, or bomb. Noble gases and alkali metals are most commonly used in the construction of bombs. Detonating cords are plastic tubes filled with powedered explosive, usually PETN (pentarythritol tetranitrate), which are used to ignite the detonation charge or as the detonation charge itself. Explosives usually contain boosters, which amplify and send the shockwave between the detonator and the main charge.