detonating

Detonating refers to initiating a detonation, a rapid exothermic chemical reaction that propagates as a shock wave through a material. In a detonation, the reaction front travels at supersonic speed, and energy release occurs essentially instantaneously along the path. Detonation is a property of certain high explosives and differs from deflagration, where the reaction front moves subsonically by heat transfer and pressure waves rather than a shock front.

Detonation typically requires an initiation event or sufficient energy to trigger the reaction. The ability of an explosive to sustain a detonation depends on material properties, confinement, temperature, and pressure. The phenomenon is characterized by a measured velocity of detonation, which reflects how fast the shock and reaction propagate through the material.

The detonation wave compresses and heats the material, producing high-pressure, high-temperature gases that expand rapidly after the wave passes. The surrounding confinement, geometry, and impurities influence the stability and power of the detonation.

Detonations are used in mining, quarrying, demolition, and military ordnance, as well as research and industrial applications. They are subject to strict safety and regulatory controls, require trained professionals, and carry significant blast effects on nearby structures and the environment.

Measurement of detonation velocity and related properties aids design and safety. Common high explosives include TNT, RDX, and PETN, with detonation velocities typically in the range of about 6 to 9 kilometers per second.