Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standardized Awareness Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the FEMA Standardized Awareness Test. Practice with quizzes and flashcards, each providing hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam! Get ready to succeed!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which type of explosive is designed to detonate at a rate greater than 1000 ft/sec?

Primary explosives
Low explosives
Secondary explosives
High explosives

The correct answer is: High explosives

The choice of high explosives is accurate because they are specifically designed to detonate at velocities exceeding 1000 feet per second. This rapid detonation generates a shock wave that can produce significant destruction, which is fundamental to their applications in military, demolition, and blasting operations. High explosives typically include substances such as TNT, RDX, and PETN, which are characterized by their ability to produce a powerful explosion when initiated. In contrast, primary explosives are generally more sensitive to heat, shock, or friction and are primarily used in detonators or as initiators. Low explosives, on the other hand, burn rather than detonate, producing gas and pressure at a slower propagation speed, which is why they are utilized in applications like propellants for firearms and fireworks. Secondary explosives require a primary explosive to become initiated and do not detonate at velocities greater than 1000 ft/sec themselves, but rather function as the main charge in munitions or explosives after being set off. This understanding clarifies the specific characteristics that define these different categories of explosives, underpinning why high explosives stand out for their detonation speed.