Forensic Chem Final
Exam Review &
Comprehensive Study
Guide
| Guaranteed success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, explosion Extremely fast combustion reaction
Low explosives slower, needs confinement to explode
explosion slower than speed of sound (1085 ft/s)
faster than combustion, slower than detonation (deflagrate)
high explosives dont need confinement to explode
explosion faster than speed of sound
instantaneous conversion of solid or liquid fuel to gas and heat and sound,
create detonation wave (detonate)
Velocity of detonation is 3300-25000 ft/s
has a shattering effect (brisance)
initiated with detonator
types of low explosives black powder and smokeless powder
Black powder a mixture of potassium or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur
velocity of explosion is less than 3000 ft/s
used in fireworks, blasting caps, fuzes
Nitrocellulose (guncotton) Nitric acid + cellulose
burns quickly with little residue
Smokeless powder refers to modern gunpowder, which is really not "powder" but flakes of
nitrocellulose and other substances. Not really "smokeless" but much less so
than black powder.
single base nitrocellulose
double base nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine
triple base nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, nitroguanidine
primary expolsive most sensitive high explosive
less explosive energy
spark, small flame, static electricity mild shock
used in detonators and initiation systems
Types of primary explosives lead azide
mercury fulminate
lead styphnate
Exam Review &
Comprehensive Study
Guide
| Guaranteed success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, explosion Extremely fast combustion reaction
Low explosives slower, needs confinement to explode
explosion slower than speed of sound (1085 ft/s)
faster than combustion, slower than detonation (deflagrate)
high explosives dont need confinement to explode
explosion faster than speed of sound
instantaneous conversion of solid or liquid fuel to gas and heat and sound,
create detonation wave (detonate)
Velocity of detonation is 3300-25000 ft/s
has a shattering effect (brisance)
initiated with detonator
types of low explosives black powder and smokeless powder
Black powder a mixture of potassium or sodium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur
velocity of explosion is less than 3000 ft/s
used in fireworks, blasting caps, fuzes
Nitrocellulose (guncotton) Nitric acid + cellulose
burns quickly with little residue
Smokeless powder refers to modern gunpowder, which is really not "powder" but flakes of
nitrocellulose and other substances. Not really "smokeless" but much less so
than black powder.
single base nitrocellulose
double base nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine
triple base nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, nitroguanidine
primary expolsive most sensitive high explosive
less explosive energy
spark, small flame, static electricity mild shock
used in detonators and initiation systems
Types of primary explosives lead azide
mercury fulminate
lead styphnate
