How do grenades work?
In: Technology
There are many types of grenades. They consist of similar [parts](https://cdn.hswstatic.com/gif/grenade-delay.gif) though.
First, we have the trigger. Most of them are spring-loaded and secured with a pin. So if you pull the pin, the spring pushes the trigger outwards, but you can hold it in, until you release the grenade e.g. by throwing it.
If you release it the spring will extend and the trigger will hit a small charge that sets of a fuse. The longer the fuse, the more delayed the explosion will be. Then the fuse ignites a primary detonator. That causes an explosion inside the grenade, after here components vary.
For the “common” grenade, a fragmentation grenade, this ignites a second charge, which is much larger and makes up most of the grenade to cause a big explosion. This charge is surrounded by a serrated metal hull, that gets fragmented by the explosion and flung outwards at high speed.
These fragments are extremely sharp, big and fast, making them deadly projectiles for anyone close to the explosion and increasing the kill radius for the grenade significantly compared to it only being loaded with explosives.
It depends on the grande, but basically it’s a explosive covered in a metal casing, some grandes have additional parts for fragmentation like the classic pineapple grenade.
You activate the fuse (usually done by removing the pin and releasing the handle) it has s calculated burn time “delay” before it reaches the explosive charge.
Due to it’s enclosed environment it builds up s huge amount of pressure before it pops creating a deadly shockwave. The shockwave and fragmentation is what makes a grenade dangerous
So. The soldier grips the grenade so that the lever is depressed, or he can let the lever go which starts the fuse, nevertheless, when the lever falls out it ignites the timing fuse, which then makes it’s way to a larger amount of explosive material in the grenade which explodes, causing the grenade to blow apart, creating a large explosion and a hell of a lot of fragmentation.
I hope this helps, tell me if it still needs further explanation.
Mechanism wise ? Or why they’re lethal?
When you throw the grenade, a primer is ignited which then ignites a fuse. The fuse burns down and then ignites the main charge, causing the explosion and projecting shrapnel in all directions.
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