Final answer:
Robert Hazen is using pressure bombs in his experiments to investigate the geological processes that might have contributed to the onset of life on Earth, not to build weapons or solely to explore combustibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientist Robert Hazen is using pressure bombs to blow up minerals to conduct experiments related to the origins of life on Earth. Rather than seeking to create a large explosion, or entering the world of weapons manufacturing, or even investigating the combustibility of minerals, Hazen is interested in understanding the chemical and physical processes that may have led to the emergence of life. As we know, experiments are crucial for gaining insights into natural phenomena that are not immediately obvious. The use of pressure bombs is likely part of an effort to simulate the conditions that were present during the Earth's formation and to observe the synthesis and reactions of minerals and other compounds under those high-pressure conditions. This type of experimental simulation can provide valuable data for hypotheses about the beginning of life and the geological transformations that have taken place over millions of years.