C4 explosives do not detonate when heated because they undergo a slow combustion process rather than an explosive reaction. The primary reason for this behavior is the difference in reaction mechanisms; heat alone does not provide the necessary energy to break the chemical bonds in C4 for an explosive reaction. In contrast, a shockwave delivers a rapid mechanical force that can break these bonds, triggering the explosive reaction. This phenomenon is similar to the way egg whites do not transform into meringue through heat alone but require mechanical agitation to break bonds.
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Serj said:I asked my chem teacher but they had no answer so maybe you guys know. Why is it that C4 won't explode when heated (why does it burn slowly?) but a shockwave will set it off?