Forensic Chemistry: Explosives Classification (Low, High, Primary, Secondary)
Published:
Questions
30
Duration
30 min
Faculty-reviewed
0
Updated
24 May 2026
About this mock
UGC-NET Forensic Science Unit VI drill covering the classification of explosives and their forensic significance. The mock spans deflagrating (low) versus detonating (high) explosives distinguished by their rate of pressure rise, with black powder as the canonical low explosive and RDX or PETN as canonical high explosives. Questions address the three-tier hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary explosives: primary explosives (lead azide, mercury fulminate, lead styphnate) are shock-sensitive initiators used in detonators and primers; secondary explosives (TNT, RDX, HMX, PETN, Composition B, C-4) require a primary shock to detonate and carry the main destructive energy; tertiary or blasting agents (ANFO, emulsion explosives, slurries) are insensitive bulk explosives used in commercial quarrying and mining.
Improvised explosive chemistry is covered through black powder (75%% potassium nitrate, 15%% charcoal, 10%% sulfur), smokeless powder (single-base nitrocellulose, double-base with nitroglycerin), TATP (triacetone triperoxide, a primary peroxide explosive used in homemade detonators), urea nitrate, and picric acid. The Indian regulatory framework is tested in the final section: the Explosives Act 1884, the Explosive Substances Act 1908 (criminal liability for unlawful possession and causing explosions), the Explosives Rules 2008 made under the 1884 Act, and the licensing regime administered by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
This mock is aimed at UGC-NET Paper II candidates, NFSU MSc (Forensic Science) aspirants, and FACT exam takers who need a solid grounding in explosive chemistry before moving to advanced analytical methods. All 30 questions are calibrated at easy level, meaning correct recall of definitions, categories, and standard regulatory provisions is sufficient to score well.
Topics covered:
- Low (deflagrating) versus high (detonating) explosives and burn rate
- Primary explosives: lead azide, mercury fulminate, lead styphnate
- Secondary explosives: TNT, RDX, HMX, PETN, Composition B, C-4
- Tertiary explosives and blasting agents: ANFO, emulsions, slurries
- Improvised explosives: black powder, TATP, urea nitrate, picric acid
- Explosives Act 1884 and Explosive Substances Act 1908
- Explosives Rules 2008 and PESO licensing framework
- Velocity of detonation as a distinguishing parameter
Allow 30 minutes.
Sources & references
Questions in this mock are written and verified against the following sources. Citations are recorded per question and shown in the explanation after submission.
- cited in 12 questions
Beveridge, A. (ed.) — Forensic Investigation of Explosions, 2nd Edition
CRC Press, Chapter 3: Primary Explosives and Initiating Systems
- cited in 8 questions
Yinon, Jehuda — Forensic and Environmental Detection of Explosives
John Wiley and Sons, Chapter 2: Secondary Explosives — HMX and High-Performance Nitramines
- cited in 5 questions
Saferstein, Richard — Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 12th Edition
Chapter 18: Explosives and Firearms Examination — Smokeless Powder and Propellants
- cited in 2 questions
The Explosive Substances Act, 1908 (Act No. 6 of 1908), Government of India
Section 5: Punishment for making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances
Open source - cited in 1 question
The Explosives Act, 1884 (Act No. 4 of 1884), Government of India
Section 5: Power to make rules regarding explosives
Open source - cited in 1 question
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
PESO official mandate, organisational structure and regulatory functions under Explosives Act 1884
Open source - cited in 1 question
The Explosives Rules, 2008 (G.S.R. 468(E)), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India
Preamble and Rule 1: Short title, commencement and replacement of Explosives Rules 1940
Open source
How our mocks are built
Questions are written and edited by the ForensicSpot team and cited from peer-reviewed forensic textbooks, official syllabi and primary case law. Each one is verified before publishing. Detailed explanations show after you submit, so the test stays a real test. See a mistake? Tell us.
Common questions
What does the Forensic Chemistry: Explosives Classification (Low, High, Primary, Secondary) mock cover?+
UGC-NET Forensic Science Unit VI drill covering the classification of explosives and their forensic significance. The mock spans deflagrating (low) versus detonating (high) explosives distinguished by their rate of pressure rise, with black powder as the canonical low explosive and RDX or PETN as canonical high explosives. Questions address the three-tier hierarchy of primary, secondary, and tertiary explosives: primary explosives (lead azide, mercury fulminate, lead styphnate) are shock-sensiti
How many questions and how long is the test?+
30 multiple-choice questions, 30 minutes total. Difficulty: easy. Tier: Premium.
Who is this mock for?+
Forensic science students and aspirants who want timed, exam-style practice with explanations and verified source citations on Forensic Chemistry, NET. Useful for postgraduate entrance preparation and for BSc / MSc forensic students testing their recall under time.
Are the questions reviewed?+
Each question carries a verified source citation. Faculty review for individual questions is in progress.
Do I need an account to take this mock?+
Yes, a free ForensicSpot account is required to start a timed attempt — this lets you save progress, see per-question explanations after submission, and track your topic-level performance over time.