Would a firearm (eg M-16) fire in space?

Answer 1

Yes, it will. If it is a modern firearm that uses a cartridge.

The reason it will is that the black powder used in older firearms is composed of carbon (from charcoal), sulfer, and potassium nitrate (KNO3). The explosion of black powder is a chemical reaction that does not require atmospheric oxygen to procede. Potassium nitrate is the oxidizer in this reaction and can therefore take place in the vacuum of space. Though I'm not certain about the chemical equation, I'm sure modern smokeless powders would be self oxidizers as well.

Even the primers for the cartridges are made from a chemical that is sensitive to shock such as potassium perchlorate and does not require the input of oxygen to detonate.

As for the bullets flight. It does not require air to fly. In fact without air resistance, it will have better bullistic perfomance than on earth. It will maintain its muzzel velocity until something stops it. Such as an atmosphere, an asteroid, or an interstellar terrorist :>) . It would however still be affected by whatever gravitational field you happen to be in and would have a curved flight path though not the same as here on earth.

Answer 2

Biker is right and his answer is to the point. A firearm will fire in space. The bullet has all the ingredients needed to perform inside. This includes the oxidizer which supplies the necessary oxygen. The expanding gases from the power and oxidizer will still propel the lead slug out of the barrel at the same speed as it would on earth and in the atmosphere. The slug will actually travel farther in space because there is no air resistance to slow it down.

Answer 3

the oxygen needed for a firearm to work is included in the propellant- therefore yes, a gun would fire in space. also underwater, unless the water makes the powder wet before it is fired.

The balistics of the bullet would be completely diffeerent though- no air resistance to slow down the bullet and a different gravitational field- from none to unknown levels and directions of pull. not relevant at close range, but would make long shots difficult

Also bear in mind that the recoil would propel the shooter back- very bad if he were free floating in space, since the recoil of the first shot would most likely make him spin

Answer 4

Yes it will. Now, somebody might say that it won't because there is no oxygen in space to ignite the gunpowder, and that would be true if the powder itself didn't contain oxygen, but it does so it will. As a matter of fact the bullet will continue on it's course untill it goes too close to some planet and its gravity sucks it in unless it meets another object to stop it.

Answer 5

Normal firearms cartridges are often moisture sealed. This is especially common in both surplus military and personal defense rounds.

There's no reason in particular that a normal firearm wouldn't function in vacuum, without any particular modification.

Answer 6

the lack of oxygen in a vacuum would inhibit an ordinary bullet's performance, but I am sure those millitary scientists could incorporate some kind of oxidant into the cartridge.

If you did manage to fire an explosive in space you would probably end up spinning and or drifting - smash your enemies space mask with a hammer, it is easier.

I hope the NASA people are reading this because it could come in useful if a terrorist got onboard

Answer 7

This is a $16 billion question.

If an Astronaut in NASA will agree to fire it in space... Yes it will.

Answer 8

confident. in fact, the bullet could bypass plenty, plenty further (and quicker) in the vacuum of area and the gun, if not held precise, could shuttle in the choice course for a great distance. If held precise, you your self could spin and shuttle backwards. The spin could be in the rotational process the arm conserving the gun. in case you held twin weapons and fired them on an analogous time, you're able to desire to flow backwards (assuming you hearth them on an analogous axis/airplane). this could be used as an inefficient yet useful way of propelling by way of area and looking out undesirable *** on an analogous time. maximum firearms immediately are tension operated (tension/section) and could hearth in basic terms superb in area.

Answer 9

Yes. But it will not go really well. Think if you fire in water (which has no air) it ccannot travel really well. That's the same as if you were in space

Answer 10

Yes, and a really long way. But make sure the gun is fixed to something really heavy because there would be a heck of a recoil.