Question

The prime charge in a detonator is

• A. PETN
• B. TNT
• C. ASA
• D. Ammonium Nitrate

Hint:

Think of a detonator like lighting a fire.
You use a match (the initiation) to light the kindling (the prime charge, e.g., ASA), which then provides a strong enough flame to ignite the main log (the base charge, e.g., PETN).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the chemical compound or mixture typically used as the primary or priming charge in a detonator.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
A detonator is a device used to trigger a larger, less sensitive main explosive charge.
It works as a multi-stage explosive train:
1.

Initiation: An external stimulus (like an electric current heating a fuse head or a shock from a fuse) initiates the first charge.
2.

Prime Charge (Primary Explosive): This is a highly sensitive explosive that detonates from the initial stimulus.
Its purpose is to generate enough shock to detonate the next, more powerful charge.
A very common prime charge composition is

ASA, which is a mixture of

Azide (Lead Azide),

Styphnate (Lead Styphnate), and powdered

Aluminium.
3.

Base Charge (Secondary Explosive): This is a less sensitive but more powerful explosive that makes up the bulk of the detonator's power.
It is detonated by the shockwave from the prime charge.

PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate) and

TNT (Trinitrotoluene) are powerful secondary explosives and are commonly used as the base charge in detonators.

Ammonium Nitrate is the main component of ANFO, a bulk blasting agent, not a primary charge.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The prime charge in a detonator is commonly ASA.
This corresponds to option (C).