[*TNT*]

     T.N.T., or Tri-Nitro-Toluene, is perhaps the second oldest known high
explosive. Dynamite, of course, was the first. It is certainly the best known
high explosive, since it has been popularized by early morning cartoons. It
is the standard for comparing other explosives to, since it is the most well
known. In industry, a T.N.T. is made by a three step nitration process that is
designed to conserve the nitric and sulfuric acids which are used to make the
product. A terrorist, however, would probably opt for the less economical one
step method. The one step process is performed by treating toluene with very
strong (fuming) sulfuric acid. Then, the sulfated toluene is treated with very
strong (fuming) nitric acid in an ice bath. Cold water is added the solution,
and it is filtered.
        Probably the most inportant explosive compound in use today is
TNT (trinitrotoluene). This and other types of high explosives are all used by
the military, because of their fantastic power--about 2.25 million pounds per
square inch, and their great stability.  TNT also has the great advantage of
being able to be melted at 82 degrees F., so that it can be poured into shells,
mortars, and any other projectiles. Military TNT comes in containers which
resemble dry-cell batteries, and are usually ignited by an electrical charge,
coupled with an electrical blasting cap, although there are different methods.