What are Molotov cocktails examples of?

Molotov cocktails are indeed classified as incendiary devices. They typically consist of a glass bottle filled with a flammable liquid, such as gasoline. When the bottle is thrown, it shatters and ignites, creating a fireball or flames upon impact. This characteristic of creating fire rather than a powerful explosive effect distinguishes them as incendiary rather than explosive projectiles or pure explosives.

The term "gasoline bomb" does describe their use of a flammable liquid, but it is less precise than "incendiary device," which encompasses any device designed to start a fire. Improvised explosives refer to devices designed specifically to create a blast effect through detonation, typically involving materials that result in a significant explosive reaction, which does not accurately characterize the functioning principle of a Molotov cocktail. Explosive projectiles suggest a focus on items designed to detonate upon impact, thereby distinguishing them from incendiary devices like Molotov cocktails meant primarily to ignite and spread fire. Thus, the definition of incendiary device is the most appropriate classification for Molotov cocktails.