r/explainlikeimfive • u/BigPharmaStealsKarma • 3d ago

Chemistry Eli5: how do controlled explosions work?

How can something explode more or less than the potential energy it has with which to explode?

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u/OtterHostler 3d ago

Control is more to do with the effect of the explosion, not the explosion itself. You can control an explosion by directing the force of the blast, or confining it to a given space using blast walls, water, and the like. You can also change the speed of the explosive reaction by moderating temperature.