Editing Explosive (section)

====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>