Which statement best describes the difference between a percussion time fuze and a point-detonating fuze?

Which statement best describes the difference between a percussion time fuze and a point-detonating fuze?

• A. Time fuze delays detonation after firing; point-detonating fuze detonates on impact with the target or ground.
• B. The point-detonating fuze delays detonation after firing; Time fuze detonates on impact.
• C. Time fuze detonates on impact; point-detonating fuze delays detonation.
• D. Time fuze increases muzzle velocity; point-detonating fuze reduces it.

Answer: (A)

This question hinges on how a fuze controls when the explosive goes off—timing versus impact. A time fuse is built to delay detonation after the round is fired (or after it arms), so the shell can explode at a chosen time or distance. A point-detonating (impact) fuze, on the other hand, detonates upon contact with the target or the ground, producing immediate detonation on impact. So the statement that describes a time fuse as delaying detonation and a point-detonating fuse as detonating on impact is the best fit. The other ideas misstate how these fuzes function, and fuzes don’t affect muzzle velocity.

This question hinges on how a fuze controls when the explosive goes off—timing versus impact. A time fuse is built to delay detonation after the round is fired (or after it arms), so the shell can explode at a chosen time or distance. A point-detonating (impact) fuze, on the other hand, detonates upon contact with the target or the ground, producing immediate detonation on impact. So the statement that describes a time fuse as delaying detonation and a point-detonating fuse as detonating on impact is the best fit. The other ideas misstate how these fuzes function, and fuzes don’t affect muzzle velocity.