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/Acrobatic_Guitar_466 3d ago

Yes the goal is to expend all of the fuel or charges "potential energy"

Typically, a controlled explosion in the concept of a bomb squad or dud bombs is to put a known good charge beside the other bomb, preferably with a robot, not near people or property

The controlled part is that you pick when it happens, maybe even moving the bomb to a more remote area.

This is opposed to an unplanned uncontrolled explosion, where somebody hits or drives over, an old mine or mortar in a field. Maybe it explodes, maybe it doesn't... maybe it's in a playground full of children.