Sensitive supplies may become explosive if exposed to which conditions?

• A. Direct sunlight only
• B. Vacuum
• C. Temperature changes or movement
• D. Humidity only

Answer: (C)

Sensitive supplies can be triggered to explode when they receive energy from their surroundings, especially energy from heat or mechanical impact. Temperature changes introduce heat or rapid cooling that can drive chemical reactions, cause expansion, or build pressure inside the material, all of which raise the chance of detonation. Movement—such as shaking, friction, or impact—provides the physical energy needed to overcome the material’s activation barrier, potentially initiating a detonation. These factors together cover both thermal energy and mechanical energy, which is why they’re the primary concerns for explosive sensitivity. Direct sunlight alone doesn’t guarantee the mechanical energy, humidity alone isn’t a common trigger for explosive decomposition, and a vacuum isn’t a typical initiating condition.