What does "detonation velocity" refer to?

Detonation velocity refers to the speed at which the detonation wave propagates through a material that is undergoing an explosive reaction. This characteristic is critical in understanding how quickly an explosive can release energy and how it can effectively achieve its intended purpose during an explosive event. A higher detonation velocity generally indicates a more powerful explosive, which can result in a more effective and efficient transfer of energy. This is especially important in applications such as demolition, ammunition design, or military operations, where timing and energy delivery are crucial factors.

Considering the other options, remaining explosive material after detonation pertains to residuals and not to the speed of the detonation phenomenon itself. Effectiveness refers to how well an explosive performs its job, which encompasses many factors beyond just detonation velocity. The time taken for deployment relates more to operational aspects rather than the intrinsic properties of the explosive material itself. Together, these distinctions highlight why the focus on the motion of the detonation wave through an explosive material is a definitive characteristic of its nature and performance.