High Explosives are defined as explosives that have a faster speed of sound.

• A. Faster speed of sound
• B. Slower speed of sound
• C. Higher temperature
• D. Lighter weight

Answer: (A)

High explosives are defined by their ability to propagate a detonation wave through the material, releasing energy so rapidly that the reaction front moves faster than ordinary combustion. This rapid propagation is quantified by a high detonation velocity, which is why the idea of a fast speed of sound (in the sense of rapid, shock-driven energy release) is used to describe them. In practice, these explosives produce a shock wave that detonates the surrounding material, unlike low explosives that burn or deflagrate at much slower speeds. Temperature or weight don’t determine this classification. Examples of materials with high detonation velocities include TNT, RDX, and PETN.