Question

The following pieces of evidence were found at separate explosion sites. For each item, indicate whether the explosion was more likely caused by low or high explosive, and explain your answer.
a. Lead azide residues
b. Nitrocellulose residues
c. Ammonium nitrate residues
d. Scraps of primacord
e. Potassium chlorate residues

Answer 1

Explanation:

The major difference between low and high explosives is the rate of detonation. Low explosives detonate very slowly (less than 1,000 meters per second), whereas high explosives detonate very quickly (from 1,000 to 8,500 meters per second).

High explosives among the given list are Lead azide residues, Ammonium nitrate residues, and  Scraps of primacord. Whereas Nitrocellulose residues and, Potassium chlorate residues are low explosives.