Q1. Which of the following is not a primary explosive?
a) Lead azide
b) Mercury fulminate
c) TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
d) Lead styphnate
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Correct Answer: c) TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
Explanation: Primary explosives are highly sensitive compounds that can detonate upon slight initiation. Examples include lead azide, mercury fulminate, and lead styphnate. TNT (Trinitrotoluene), on the other hand, is a secondary explosive. While it is powerful and widely used in military and civilian applications, TNT requires a primary explosive to initiate its detonation. Secondary explosives are less sensitive than primary explosives and are often used as main charges in explosive devices due to their stability during handling and storage.
Q2. Which chemical compound is commonly used in smokeless gunpowder?
a) Potassium nitrate
b) Charcoal
c) Sulfur
d) Nitrocellulose
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Correct Answer: d) Nitrocellulose
Explanation: Smokeless gunpowder, also known as nitrocellulose-based propellant, is composed primarily of nitrocellulose (also called cellulose nitrate or guncotton). Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound produced by nitrating cellulose fibers with nitric acid. It is combined with other additives such as stabilizers and plasticizers to form smokeless powders used in firearms and artillery. Unlike traditional black powder, which contains potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur, smokeless gunpowder produces minimal smoke and residue upon combustion, making it suitable for modern firearms.
Q3. Which explosive compound is notorious for its use in improvised explosive devices (IEDs)?
a) Ammonium nitrate
b) PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
c) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
d) ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)
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Correct Answer: b) PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
Explanation: PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) is a powerful explosive compound commonly used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) due to its high explosive energy and stability. PETN is relatively insensitive to shock and friction, making it suitable for clandestine manufacturing and transportation. It is also difficult to detect by conventional explosive detection methods, adding to its appeal for use in terrorist activities. PETN has been involved in several high-profile terrorist incidents, including attempted bombings of aircraft and public transportation systems.
Q4. Which explosive compound is commonly used in mining and quarrying operations?
a) TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
b) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
c) ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)
d) PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: c) ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)
Explanation: ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil) is a widely used explosive mixture in mining and quarrying operations due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of handling. ANFO is composed of ammonium nitrate, a powerful oxidizing agent, and fuel oil (typically diesel fuel), which serves as the explosive fuel. The mixture is typically prepared on-site by blending the two components, creating a slurry or prilled form for loading into blast holes. ANFO explosions break rock formations efficiently without the need for complex initiation systems, making it a preferred choice for bulk blasting applications.
Q5. Which explosive compound is known for its stability and is used in plastic explosives?
a) TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
b) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
c) PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
d) HMX (Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: b) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
Explanation: RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) is known for its stability and is commonly used in plastic explosives due to its high explosive energy and resistance to shock and friction. Plastic explosives, such as C-4 and Composition 4, are malleable and can be molded into various shapes or adhered to surfaces, making them versatile for military and demolition applications. RDX is a key ingredient in many military-grade explosives and is valued for its reliability and performance in harsh environments.
Q6. Which explosive compound is commonly used in blasting caps and detonators?
a) TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
b) Mercury fulminate
c) ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)
d) Lead azide
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Correct Answer: d) Lead azide
Explanation: Lead azide is commonly used in blasting caps and detonators as a primary explosive due to its sensitivity to initiation and rapid energy release upon detonation. Blasting caps contain a small amount of lead azide, which is initiated by a percussion or electric shock to initiate the detonation of a secondary explosive charge, such as TNT or ANFO. Lead azide’s high brisance (shattering effect) makes it effective for initiating larger explosive charges in controlled blasting operations, mining, and demolition.
Q7. Which explosive compound is known for its use in military applications, including artillery shells and hand grenades?
a) PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
b) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
c) TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
d) HMX (Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: c) TNT (Trinitrotoluene)
Explanation: TNT (Trinitrotoluene) is known for its use in military applications, including artillery shells, hand grenades, and landmines, due to its stability, high explosive energy, and ease of handling. TNT is relatively insensitive to shock and friction, making it suitable for use in battlefield conditions. It produces minimal smoke and residue upon detonation, reducing the risk of detection by enemy forces. While newer explosive compounds such as RDX and HMX offer higher energy densities, TNT remains a staple in military munitions due to its reliability and effectiveness.
Q8. Which explosive compound is used as a booster charge to enhance the detonation of main explosives?
a) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
b) PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
c) TATP (Triacetone triperoxide)
d) HMX (Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: b) PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
Explanation: PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) is commonly used as a booster charge to enhance the detonation of main explosives such as RDX or TNT. PETN’s high brisance and sensitivity to initiation make it suitable for initiating larger explosive charges or overcoming initiation barriers in complex explosive devices. PETN is often used in combination with other explosives to create more powerful and reliable detonation systems, particularly in military munitions and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Q9. Which explosive compound is commonly used in propellants for rockets and missiles due to its high energy density and stability?
a) HMX (Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine)
b) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
c) TATP (Triacetone triperoxide)
d) AP (Ammonium perchlorate)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: d) AP (Ammonium perchlorate)
Explanation: Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is commonly used in propellants for rockets and missiles due to its high energy density and stability. AP is a powerful oxidizing agent that releases oxygen during decomposition, promoting rapid combustion of fuel components in solid rocket propellants. It is often combined with powdered metals, binders, and plasticizers to form composite propellant grains tailored to specific propulsion requirements. AP-based propellants offer advantages such as high thrust-to-weight ratios, predictable burn rates, and minimal smoke during combustion, making them ideal for aerospace applications.
Q10. Which explosive compound is known for its use in commercial blasting operations and seismic exploration?
a) ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)
b) C-4 (Composition 4)
c) TATP (Triacetone triperoxide)
d) RDX (Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
Show Answer
Correct Answer: a) ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil)
Explanation: ANFO (Ammonium nitrate/fuel oil) is known for its use in commercial blasting operations and seismic exploration due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of handling. ANFO is a mixture of ammonium nitrate, a potent oxidizer, and fuel oil (typically diesel fuel), which serves as the explosive fuel. ANFO explosives are commonly used in mining, quarrying, construction, and demolition due to their high energy output and stability. The mixture can be tailored to specific blasting requirements by adjusting the ratio of ammonium nitrate to fuel oil, ensuring optimal performance in various applications.