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When were they first used; how do they work?The very first explosive, black powder (more commonly known as gunpowder), was first used by the Ancient Chinese for fireworks and signals. It was also used as a ballistic propellant. Gunpowder burns quickly to form a gas of high pressure. When this gas expands, it can be used to propell things such as bullets. It also functions as an explosive, used commonly in fuses.
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What Part Did Alfred Nobel Play?Alfred Nobel was the one who invented dynamite. He wanted to find a safe way to package Sobrero's explosive, Nytroglycerin, after 5 people were killed in an explosive at his families factory; one being his brother. He achieved this by mixing it with an inert absorbent material. Following this, Dynamite replaced Gunpoweder as the most widely used explosive.
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Bibliography
- Editors, B 2016, Alfred Nobel Biagraphy, Biography.com, accessed 30 July 2016, <http://www.biography.com/people/alfred-nobel-9424195>.
- Explosives History 2016, NetIndustries, accessed 21 July 2016, <http://science.jrank.org/pages/2634/Explosives-History.html>.
- Kennedy, JE 2016, 'Gunpowder' , World Book Student, World Book, Chicago, viewed 21 July 2016 .