Why Is Milk White?: & 200 Other Curious Chemistry Questions (2013)
5. Things That Catch Fire or Go Bang
How are explosives different from grenades?
Grenades are small devices that contain explosives and are launched or thrown so that they explode away from the person who threw them.
Hand grenades are thrown by hand. Other grenades have launchers. Some launchers attach to rifles, while others are carried by themselves, such as rocket propelled grenades, or RPGs.
Explosive grenades often have steel cases that are cut so that when the device explodes the bits of steel will act like bullets. These are called fragmentation grenades. Others called concussion grenades merely explode; they are meant to stun people.
Grenades use several chemical reactions to work. When the grenade leaves the thrower’s hand, a spring pushes a pin down on a percussion cap. That cap explodes and lights a four-second fuse. That fuse eventually sets off a detonator, which then sets off the main explosive charge.
Not all grenades are actually explosive. Some are designed to set fires. These are called incendiary grenades. Others release smoke or tear gas or just make a loud noise or flash of light.