firearms/zero gravity/ ballistics
2006-08-25 00:48:42 · 12 answers · asked by pitmonster03 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The lack of oxygen would not be a problem since the gunpowder has an oxidizing agent which emits enough oxygen to make it go off.
The gun would, if possible, be more lethal than on earth. On earth, the gravity together with air, gives some resistance to the bullet, and makes its trajectory a bit distorted. And without air (Eg in space, outside of a space ship) the bullet would not decelerate due to air resistance.
2006-08-25 00:55:32 · answer #1 · answered by nitro2k01 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it would .. even more so as there would be no drag on the bullet as it travelled nor would there be gravity pulling it to the ground. In fact it would travel at the speed it was fired at and remain lethal for a very long time.
As a side note, most modern shells will even fire without oxygen from the outside as they contain oxygen rich compounds in the powder mix. These have been added over the years to help guns fire even when wet but it would translate nicely to space use.
2006-08-25 07:57:16 · answer #2 · answered by sam21462 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's assume that the gun would in fact fire (in space, there is no air, so the gun powder would not ignite, so the bullet would not leave the barrel) if the bullet were moving as fast in space as it does here on earth, yes it would be lethal. Also, the person who shot the gun would notice the "reaction force" more and would start moving backwards. (on earth, friction from the ground counteracts this reaction.)
2006-08-25 07:56:37 · answer #3 · answered by kemchan2 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That guy's answer plus, the shot would go a lot further, because of the lack of air resistance and gravity drag. Every shot would have the potentiality of going forever (unless it impacted).
2006-08-25 07:53:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it would.
And for those who answered about the presence of oxygen, it is not required. The gunpowder has all the oxydizer it needs allready packaged. If it was not the case, it would fizzle as there is no way for air to mix with powder fast enough for proper combustion.
2006-08-25 07:55:36 · answer #5 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It probably wouldn't shoot at all. There's no air in space to allow the gunpowder to burn. But, if a gun could shoot the force from the shot would push the shooter back as much as any impact a bullet might have.
2006-08-25 07:53:35 · answer #6 · answered by Elder36 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
think it depends on where the target is located and what part of the body is shot at, doesn't it? there is nothing to slow down the bullet in space but i don't think its the speed of the bullet that determines its killing power.
2006-08-25 08:33:04 · answer #7 · answered by david g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course man.... as there is no opposing air or gravity
but that is true in the first 15 million Km, then i am not ture if some sun absorbs and melt it
2006-08-25 07:53:29 · answer #8 · answered by mozakkera 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming that there was enough oxygen in the cartridge for it to fire, yes, although each shot you fired would accelerate you backwards. And probably give you angular momentum, too (rotation).
2006-08-25 07:51:22 · answer #9 · answered by 006 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
my guess is it would have more because there is not air resistance to slow the bullet down (assuming you had oxygen so the powder could ignite)
2006-08-25 07:51:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋