Editing Explosive (section)

===Sensitivity===
{{Main|Sensitivity (explosives)}}
Sensitivity refers to the ease with which an explosive can be ignited or detonated, i.e., the amount and intensity of [[electric shock|shock]], [[friction]], or [[heat]] that is required. When the term [[wikt:Sensitivity|sensitivity]] is used, care must be taken to clarify what kind of sensitivity is under discussion. The relative sensitivity of a given explosive to impact may vary greatly from its sensitivity to friction or heat. Some of the test methods used to determine sensitivity relate to:
* '''[[Impact (mechanics)|Impact]]''' – Sensitivity is expressed in terms of the distance through which a standard weight must be dropped onto the material to cause it to explode.
* '''[[Friction]]''' – Sensitivity is expressed in terms of the amount of pressure applied to the material in order to create enough friction to cause a reaction.
* '''[[Heat]]''' – Sensitivity is expressed in terms of the temperature at which decomposition of the material occurs.

Specific explosives (usually but not always highly sensitive on one or more of the three above axes) may be idiosyncratically sensitive to such factors as pressure drop, acceleration, the presence of sharp edges or rough surfaces, incompatible materials, or {{nowrap|even{{hsp}}{{mdash}}{{hsp}}}}in rare {{nowrap|cases{{hsp}}{{mdash}}{{hsp}}}}nuclear or electromagnetic radiation. These factors present special hazards that may rule out any practical utility.

Sensitivity is an important consideration in selecting an explosive for a particular purpose. The explosive in an armor-piercing projectile must be relatively insensitive, or the shock of impact would cause it to detonate before it penetrated to the point desired. The explosive lenses around nuclear charges are also designed to be highly insensitive, to minimize the risk of accidental detonation.