Pronunciation: [dˌɛtənˈe͡ɪʃən] (IPA) 
Detonation is spelled dɛtəˈneɪʃən. In this word, "det" is pronounced as "dɛt" (similar to "debt"), "on" is pronounced as "ɒn" (similar to "awn"), and "ation" is pronounced as "eɪʃən" (similar to "A-shun"). The word refers to a sudden and violent explosion, typically caused by a chemical reaction. It can also be used figuratively to describe a sudden outburst or explosion of emotions.
Detonation refers to a sudden, violent, and rapid release of energy that occurs due to the chemical reaction or combustion of an explosive material. It is a highly destructive and powerful event characterized by an intense burst of heat, light, and sound. The process of detonation usually involves an extremely rapid conversion of the explosive material into hot gases, causing a shock wave to rapidly expand outward from the source.
In a detonation, the explosive material is typically initiated by a spark, flame, or mechanical shock, which triggers the self-sustaining chemical reaction. As the explosive material rapidly decomposes, it releases large quantities of high-pressure gases and generates intense temperatures. The expanding hot gases create a supersonic shock wave, known as a blast wave, which can cause significant damage to surrounding objects and structures.
Detonations are commonly utilized in military applications, such as explosives used in warfare or demolition, as they provide a highly efficient means of releasing large amounts of energy within an extremely short period. However, detonations can also occur naturally, such as in volcanic eruptions or when certain gases mix and react in a confined space.
Due to its potential for widespread destruction and loss of life, the study and control of detonations are paramount in fields like engineering, chemistry, and munitions. Researchers and engineers analyze various aspects of detonations to develop better safety measures, understand explosive behavior, and improve the design of explosive devices.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "detonation" can be traced back to the Latin word "detonare", which means "to thunder down" or "to release by thunder". It is derived from the combination of the prefix "de-" (indicating separation or reversal) and "tonare" (meaning "to thunder"). The term "detonation" was later adopted in the English language to refer to the rapid and violent release of energy, typically in the form of an explosion.
