Explosive Decomposition

Abstract

The question which arises is to know how the modifications in electronic structure of the molecule, considered under “shock” in the last chapter, may be fitted into a mechanism of explosive decomposition. In other words, the problem to be solved is that of the effect of these modifications on the conditions of birth of the detonation regime. This effect may be considered on two levels: rupture of intramolecular bonds, and intermolecular energy transfers. In fact, the conditions of molecular decomposition are linked directly to the electronic state in which it is supposed that the molecule will be found after excitation. Moreover, electron distribution over the different bonds is one of the principal quantities influencing the transfer of energy between molecules [38].