Which one of the following is not a high explosive?
[amp_mcq option1=”PEK” option2=”TNT” option3=”PETN” option4=”Cordite” correct=”option4″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
Cordite is primarily a propellant, which falls under the category of low explosives or deflagrating explosives, not high explosives. High explosives detonate, while low explosives deflagrate (burn rapidly). TNT (Trinitrotoluene) and PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) are well-known high explosives used in military, industrial, and terrorist applications. PEK is not a commonly recognized acronym for an explosive substance, but based on the options, Cordite is definitively not a high explosive.
– **High Explosives:** Detonate rapidly, producing a powerful shock wave (e.g., TNT, PETN, RDX).
– **Low Explosives:** Deflagrate (burn rapidly), used as propellants (e.g., Cordite, black powder, smokeless powder).
– Cordite is a composite propellant made from nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine.