CONTENTS. 



BOOK I GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 



CHAPTER I. 



The force of explosive substances Maximum work High and low explosives 

 Distribution of energy Mixtures and definite chemical compounds 



Page 1-4 



CHAPTER II. 



Products of explosive decomposition Seven modes of decomposition of 

 ammonium nitrate Progressive heating or sudden decomposition Dis- 

 sociation modifies the heat disengaged, volume of gas, diminishes 

 pressure Calculated and actual temperature and pressure .. 5-13 



.CHAPTER III. 



Heat produced generally positive Calculation of heat disengaged Definition 

 of small and large calorie Potential energy of an explosive Practical 

 result 14-17 



CHAPTER IV. 



Pressure of gases Temperature Specific heat Direct measurement of 

 pressure Crusher guage Theory of crushing manometers Theoretical 

 calculations Density of charge and specific pressure Maximum effort 

 " Characteristic product " 18-34 



CHAPTER V. 



Duration of explosive reactions Origin of reactions Sensitiveness of explo- 

 sive substances Molecular rapidity of reactions Increases with tempera- 

 ture, and with density of body Influence of process of inflammation of 

 shock Combustion and detonation Combustion effected by nitric 

 oxide Decomposition of endothermal combinations, acetylene, cyanogen, 

 etc. 35-74 



