Editing Explosive (section)

===By velocity===

====Low====
Low explosives (or low-order explosives) are compounds wherein the rate of decomposition proceeds through the material at less than the [[speed of sound]]. The decomposition is propagated by a flame front ([[deflagration]]) that travels much more slowly through the explosive material than the [[shock wave]] of a high explosive. [[Standard temperature and pressure|Under normal conditions]], low explosives undergo deflagration at rates that vary from a few centimetres per second to approximately {{Convert|0.4|km/s|ft/s}}. It is possible for them to deflagrate very quickly, producing an effect similar to a [[detonation]]. This can happen under higher [[pressure]] (such as when [[gunpowder]] deflagrates inside the confined space of a bullet casing, accelerating the bullet to well beyond the speed of sound) or [[temperature]].

A low explosive is usually a mixture of a [[combustible]] substance and an [[oxidant]] that decomposes rapidly (deflagration); however, they burn more slowly than a high explosive, which has an extremely fast burn rate.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/5966/chapter/22 |title=Read "Containing the Threat from Illegal Bombings: An Integrated National Strategy for Marking, Tagging, Rendering Inert, and Licensing Explosives and Their Precursors" at NAP.edu |date=1998 |doi=10.17226/5966 |isbn=978-0-309-06126-1 |language=en}}</ref>

Low explosives are normally employed as [[propellant]]s. Included in this group are petroleum products such as [[propane]] and [[gasoline]], [[gunpowder]] (including [[smokeless powder]]), and light [[pyrotechnics]] such as [[flare]]s and [[fireworks]], but they can replace high explosives in certain applications, including gas pressure blasting.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1958-07-29 |title=The initiation of explosion by neutrons, α -particles and fission products |url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspa.1958.0123 |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences |language=en |volume=246 |issue=1245 |pages=216–219 |doi=10.1098/rspa.1958.0123 |bibcode=1958RSPSA.246..216B |s2cid=137728239 |issn=0080-4630|last1=Bowden |first1=F. P. |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

====High====
High explosives (HE, or high-order explosives) are explosive materials that [[Detonation|detonate]], meaning that the [[explosion|explosive]] [[shock front]] passes through the material at a [[supersonic]] speed. High explosives detonate with [[explosive velocity]] of about {{Convert|3|-|9|km/s|ft/s}}. For instance, TNT has a detonation (burn) rate of approximately 6.9&nbsp;km/s (22,600 feet per second), detonating cord of 6.7&nbsp;km/s (22,000 feet per second), and C-4 about 8.0&nbsp;km/s (26,000 feet per second). They are normally employed in mining, demolition, and military applications. The term ''high explosive'' is in contrast with the term ''low explosive'', which explodes ([[Deflagration|deflagrates]]) at a lower rate.

High explosives can be divided into two explosives classes differentiated by [[sensitivity (explosives)|sensitivity]]: [[#Primary|primary explosive]] and [[#Secondary|secondary explosive]]. Although tertiary explosives (such as ANFO at 3,200&nbsp;m/s) can technically meet the explosive velocity definition, they are not considered high explosives in regulatory contexts.

Countless high-explosive compounds are chemically possible, but commercially and militarily important ones have included [[nitroglycerin|NG]], [[TNT]], [[Trinitrophenol|TNP]], TNX, [[RDX]], [[HMX]], [[pentaerythritol tetranitrate|PETN]], [[TATP]], [[TATB]], and [[hexanitrostilbene|HNS]].