Wichita Police Department
Bomb Squad

Basic Explosive Information

Energetic Material

A material that can undergo an exothermic (giving off heat) chemical reaction, rapidly releasing a large amount of energy. The rapid decomposition can occur in fractions of a second. The reactions turn solids and liquids into superheated gases almost instantaneouly. There are three types of energetic materials: Pyrotechnics, Propellants, and Explosives.

Explosives

Explosives are designed to produce almost instantenous production of super-heated gases (energy) which rapidly expand into a greater volume. The enery are released in three forms: heat, light, and sound. Explosives can be divided into two class: Low Explosives and High Explosives.

Low Explosives

These are better known as propellants, such as gun powder. They are designed to deflagrate, which is rapid burning, and produce gas output.

High Explosives

These are designed to detonate, which is a specific form of energy release that supports shock wave. High explosives has a detonation velocity of above 3300 fps. They are also further classified by their sensitivities.

This is a video of a car bomb.