C4 does not explode when heated because it undergoes a different reaction mechanism that causes it to burn slowly instead of detonating. This behavior is due to the stability of its chemical structure under heat, which contrasts with the rapid energy release triggered by a shockwave. The discussion highlights that different reactions can occur under varying conditions, similar to how certain polymer reactions behave. An analogy is drawn with egg whites, where applying heat alone does not create meringue, but mechanical action (beating) breaks bonds to achieve a different result. This illustrates the principle that the method of energy application significantly influences the reaction outcome.
