It works by the impact of the round rapidly crushing explosive materials causing the materials to explode.

The explosive energy utilized by NIST is 4184 J g (4.184 MJ kg).

The most common is the theory of explosive thermal contraction of particles under rapid cooling from contact with water.

Thus, with glucose it gives carbon dioxide 3 KClO4 C6H12O6 6 H2O 6 CO2 3 KClThe conversion of solid glucose into hot gaseous CO2 is the basis of the explosive force of this and other such mixtures.