can you fire a gun in space?

Question

would it be possible for someone to fire a gun in outerspace.
outside of a space craft?

Answer 1

Yes, you can fire a gun in space despite the absence of oxygen.

A round of ammunition detonates because you pull the trigger, the firing pin strikes the primer, and (because most ammunition comes with its own oxidizer "built in", so to speak) the gunpowder then ignites, imparting a lot of energy to the bullet which is shot out of the gun's barrel.

Long story short... A gun can fire even in the absence of oxygen.

Answer 2

Actually it depends. The reaction that makes a gun fire is a spark igniting the gunpowder. This requires oxygen to react, which is not present in the vacuum of space. The depends part is because many manufacturers now place an oxidizer within the bullet casing.

Also in response to the first answer, the bullet would still move, faster than normal probably due to the lack of air resistance. Actually if you were just floating in space, you would be propelled back as well. Momentum is still present in space. ^^

Answer 3

it may be complicated, yet specific, it would desire to be completed. First, all the lubricant could desire to be stripped from the gun and altered with powdered graphite. Liquid lubricants could boil away in a vacuum. the shortcoming of oxygen isn't a difficulty - the gunpowder interior the bullet casing incorporates potassium nitrate (KNO3) which acts as an oxidiser. The cringe from the gun won't advance. Why could it? you haven't any longer greater beneficial the quantity of capacity enter into the device, so there will be no internet advance of capacity output, the two. Your difficulty on firing this gun is that at the same time as in area (or in any microgravity atmosphere) you will commute backwards because of the fact the bullet leaves the gun, producing a cringe (nevertheless you will no longer pass on a similar speed - you nonetheless have mass this is a lot greater beneficial than that of the bullet) because of the fact "for each action there is an opposite and equivalent reaction". thank you, Mr Newton. that basically isn't a great difficulty in empty area, the place speeds are all thoroughly relative - till you hit some thing it is table certain relative to you. So, you're able to wish reaction jets on your spacesuit to stabilise you till now you hearth the gun, except you have an same gun and you hearth it in exactly the alternative course at precisely a similar time, some thing in line with danger slightly too annoying of a man or woman in a cumbersome area wholesome. ultimately, there will be some interesting outcomes on the bullet. it would desire to have a lots bigger muzzle speed than in the worldwide, as there will be no air resistance. Barring it entering right into a gravity field this is going to fly in a lifeless rapidly line, and effectively this is going to bypass on continuously.

Answer 4

The detonating caps (primers) used in bullets are shock-sensitive explosive that do not require an external oxygen source. A gun would fire just fine in space, and the bullet would go zipping along with no air resistance.

Answer 5

I would think so. The gun powder does not require oxygen for it to burn. As long as the cap can ignite it when it is struck, the powder should burn. I do not see any reason why the cap should not work or that the powder should not burn.

Something to think about though, is how the laws of motion will affect the person firing the gun.

Answer 6

Yes, Gunpowder includes both oxygen & doesn't need air to fire.

Answer 7

Yes but the bullet wouldnt go anywhere

Answer 8

Yes but, the recoil would equal the discharge...you'd accelerate backwards.

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

Sure. It'll fire underwater too.