Cooperative Personnel Services Firefighter (CPS) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Firefighter Exam Questions and Study Guide

In the context of explosions, the pressure developed during a primary explosion is typically characterized by its ability to rapidly expand and generate a shock wave. The correct answer indicates that this pressure can indeed reach up to ten times the initial pressure. This level of pressure is significant because it reflects the violent nature of explosive materials and their capacity to cause considerable damage over a wide area.

Understanding the dynamics of explosions, a pressure increase to ten times the initial pressure aligns with established research and experimentation in explosion physics. Experts often cite that various types of explosives can produce shock waves with pressures reaching this magnitude, which can lead to severe structural damage and pose risks to safety.

This answer provides a benchmark against which various explosive materials and their effects can be measured. In practical scenarios, such as firefighting or hazardous material response, knowing that primary explosions can generate this level of pressure emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe distances and following proper protocols when responding to explosive incidents.

The other options reflect lesser multiplicative pressures than what has been observed or calculated in many explosive scenarios, making them less representative of the potential outcomes in a primary explosion.