bursting charge
Noun: 1. A quantity of explosive material designed to detonate as a single unit: A "bursting charge" is a prepared amount of explosive, such as gunpowder or a modern high explosive, that is intended to be ignited or detonated at one time to achieve a specific effect, like propulsion, demolition, or fragmentation.
The term "bursting charge" is a technical term used primarily in military, demolition, mining, and pyrotechnics contexts. It refers to the main explosive component within a device. * The bursting charge in an artillery shell is what causes it to shatter and produce lethal fragments. * Engineers carefully calculated the bursting charge needed to bring down the old bridge safely. * The firework's colorful effects are propelled by a lift charge before a small bursting charge disperses the stars.
- "To be the bursting charge": Used metaphorically to describe the central, explosive, or most critical element in a volatile situation.
- The controversial policy became the bursting charge that ignited public protest.
- Charge (n): In explosive contexts, this is a common shortened form of "bursting charge."
- The charge was set for noon.
- Explosive charge (n): A more general synonym.
- Main charge (n): Often used interchangeably with "bursting charge" to distinguish it from smaller booster or primer charges.
- Burster (n): A device or charge that causes something to burst open.
- Explosive charge
- Main charge
- Detonator (Note: This specifically refers to the device that initiates the explosion, not the main explosive mass itself, though they are closely linked.)
- Payload (In the context of explosive projectiles)
- To set off a charge: To detonate an explosive charge.
- The demolition team set off the charge remotely.
- Charge weight: The mass of the explosive material in a bursting charge.
- The charge weight was 2 kilograms of C-4.
- a quantity of explosive to be set off at one time
- this cartridge has a powder charge of 50 grains