Detonation

Detonation is a type of combustion involving a supersonic exothermic front accelerating through a medium that eventually drives a shock front propagating directly in front of it. Detonations occur in both conventional explosive material and in some types of high performance fuel in internal combustion engines.

Mechanism

The process of detonation involves a chemical reaction that results in the rapid release of energy. This energy is then transferred to the surrounding medium, causing it to expand and create a shock wave. The shock wave travels at a speed greater than the speed of sound, causing a sudden and violent change in pressure.

Types of Detonation

There are two main types of detonation: Deflagration and Detonation. Deflagration is a subsonic combustion, while detonation is a supersonic combustion.

Deflagration

Deflagration is a technical term describing subsonic combustion that usually propagates through thermal conductivity. Hot burning material heats the next layer of cold material and ignites it. Most "fire" found in daily life, from flames to explosions, is deflagration.

Detonation

Detonation involves a supersonic exothermic front accelerating through a medium that eventually drives a shock front propagating directly in front of it. Detonations occur in both conventional explosive material and in some types of high performance fuel in internal combustion engines.

Applications

Detonation is used in a variety of applications, including explosives, rocket propulsion, and internal combustion engines. In each of these applications, the rapid release of energy from a detonation is used to perform work.

Safety

Due to the destructive potential of detonations, safety measures are critical when handling materials capable of detonating. These measures can include the use of protective clothing, safety equipment, and proper storage and handling procedures.

See also

• Explosion
• Combustion
• Shock wave

Detonation Resources
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