Explosive

Explosive, substance that decomposes suddenly, but controllably, forming gas and releasing heat in the process. The resultant shock wave has many applications, including mining, demolition, missile propulsion, and warfare (bombs). Most explosives contain nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in an unstable molecular configuration which, as the result of a spark, blow, or other small explosion, react extremely rapidly to produce carbon dioxide, steam, and nitrogen, with some carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Explosives may be solid, liquid, or gas. They are generally classified as low explosives, primary explosives (also called initiators or primers), and high explosives.