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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosion >An explosion is a rapid expansion in volume associated with an extreme outward

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosion >An explosion is a rapid expansion in volume associated with an extreme outward release of energy, usually with the generation of high temperatures and release of high-pressure gases. Supersonic explosions created by high explosives are known as detonations and travel through shock waves. Subsonic explosions are created by low explosives through a slower combustion process known as deflagration. Doesn't have to be supersonic to be an explosion. This is a disagreement about definitions, not about the properties of nitrocellulose.

naikrovek 3y ago
I'm not talking about a shock wave, but a pulse wave. would you feel the event from a reasonable distance? true shock waves will generally kill you because they move faster than sound.
- gabrielhidasy 3y ago
  So you are talking about a detonation, a specific type of explosion that involves a supersonic wave, almost everything you would see as a munitions expert would be one of those. A dictionary definition of explosion is "a rapid expansion in volume associated with extreme outward release of energy", that includes things like, gunpowder deflagration, aerolized gasoline burning, or even a pressurized container (like a pressure cooker) rupturing. Film burning on a metal tin as they were stored could fit this definition pretty well.
- hexane360 3y ago
  I can't quickly find any resources that distinguishes between a 'shock wave' and a 'pulse wave' in the context of explosions. Do you have some resources? If you're defining pulse wave as a sub-sonic pressure wave, deflagarations can definitely produce those, even with relatively poor fuels (e.g. wood dust). Why do you expect nitrocellulose couldn't? Not enough gas volume?
  - naikrovek 3y ago
    a shock wave is propelled outward by the explosion itself; a shock wave is part of the explosion, the actual gases produced by the explosion being pushed outward. a shock wave moves faster than sound and is usually fatal if you are struck by one. pulse waves move at the speed of sound and are not propelled by the explosion. an air compressor tank rupturing would produce a pulse wave. pulse waves alone are not fatal to humans, though you definitely feel them and hear them.
    - hexane360 3y ago
      I have two questions: - If pulse waves 'aren't propelled by the explosion', what propels them? - Why would seeing a pulse wave in nitrocellulose prove that it's an explosive (as you claim), if you're defining pulse waves as any sonic wave? I'm having a hard time understanding your position, or your reasoning for why nitrocellulose isn't an explosive. I also still haven't been able to find any resources that corroborate what you're saying.

naikrovek 3y ago

I'm not talking about a shock wave, but a pulse wave. would you feel the event from a reasonable distance? true shock waves will generally kill you because they move faster than sound.

gabrielhidasy 3y ago
So you are talking about a detonation, a specific type of explosion that involves a supersonic wave, almost everything you would see as a munitions expert would be one of those. A dictionary definition of explosion is "a rapid expansion in volume associated with extreme outward release of energy", that includes things like, gunpowder deflagration, aerolized gasoline burning, or even a pressurized container (like a pressure cooker) rupturing. Film burning on a metal tin as they were stored could fit this definition pretty well.
hexane360 3y ago
I can't quickly find any resources that distinguishes between a 'shock wave' and a 'pulse wave' in the context of explosions. Do you have some resources? If you're defining pulse wave as a sub-sonic pressure wave, deflagarations can definitely produce those, even with relatively poor fuels (e.g. wood dust). Why do you expect nitrocellulose couldn't? Not enough gas volume?
- naikrovek 3y ago
  a shock wave is propelled outward by the explosion itself; a shock wave is part of the explosion, the actual gases produced by the explosion being pushed outward. a shock wave moves faster than sound and is usually fatal if you are struck by one. pulse waves move at the speed of sound and are not propelled by the explosion. an air compressor tank rupturing would produce a pulse wave. pulse waves alone are not fatal to humans, though you definitely feel them and hear them.
  - hexane360 3y ago
    I have two questions: - If pulse waves 'aren't propelled by the explosion', what propels them? - Why would seeing a pulse wave in nitrocellulose prove that it's an explosive (as you claim), if you're defining pulse waves as any sonic wave? I'm having a hard time understanding your position, or your reasoning for why nitrocellulose isn't an explosive. I also still haven't been able to find any resources that corroborate what you're saying.