Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
the same level as an object such as a truck, the truck will not be thrown into the air but will be
pushed sideways. Only if the truck was above the point of explosion could it be thrown into the air.
Figure 13-1.
Force due to overpressure will push the truck sideways.
Explosive Types
There are many, many substances that will explode, and people are always coming up with
new ones for good or evil purposes. This section will introduce some of the more commonly
used explosive materials that you may want to incorporate into your game simulations.
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, originally known as black powder, is probably the oldest man-made explosive
material. Gunpowder is made from a mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate (also
called saltpeter). It was first invented by the Chinese, and there are reports of its usage dating
back to the 9th century A.D. Throughout its history, gunpowder has been used to propel
projectiles and to fuel rockets. Gunpowder is also used as a blasting agent for mining applications.
Nitroglycerine
An Italian named Ascanio Sobrero invented nitroglycerine in 1846 as a more powerful explosive for
mining and tunneling operations. He quickly realized that it was really dangerous stuff and
abandoned further research. In 1863, a Swede named Immanuel Nobel and his son Alfred built
a plant to manufacture nitroglycerine. The process involved mixing a substance called glycerol
with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acid. Nitroglycerine is more powerful than gunpowder, but
it is also prone to accidental detonation. There were many accidents in the early development
phase, including one in 1864 that demolished the Nobel factory.
Dynamite
Nitroglycerine, while a very powerful explosive, is quite unstable in its liquid state. In particular
it is quite sensitive to shock. If you banged a vial of nitro against something, it could explode.
In 1875, Alfred Nobel, having taken over the family business, discovered a way to make nitro-
glycerine more stable. He mixed nitroglycerine with a silica-based soil, forming a soft paste.
Nobel rolled the paste into a cylinder shape, wrapped paper around it, and called the result
dynamite.
Dynamite is much more stable than liquid nitroglycerine and is insensitive to friction,
shock, and heat. A stick of dynamite can be placed in fire, where it will burn without exploding
(don't try this at home). In fact, detonating a stick of dynamite requires a
blasting cap
or other
detonation device.
