Explosive velocity
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Explosive velocity is the velocity at which the shockwave front travels through a detonated explosive. It is usually measured in metres per second (m.s-1), but is only ever a rough prediction based upon gas behavior theory, (see Chapman-Jouguet condition) as in practise it is rather hard to measure. Velocities often reach into several kilometres per second, as is the case for nitroglycerin, where the explosive velocity has been cited as 7700 m.s-1.
If the explosive is confined before detonation (such as TNT in an artillery shell), the force produced is focused on a much smaller area (the barrel of the gun), and the pressure is massively intensified. This results in explosive velocity that is much higher than if the explosive had been detonated in open air.
See also
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