2007-05-09 14:36:43 · 6 answers · asked by Matt Capobianco 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Actually, if you overcome all the previously mentioned issues, you still have to contend with the fact that gunpowder is not a particularly efficient explosive.
But for the sake of being technical, it is possible that you could design a chamber that would contain a mix of gunpowder dust and air with an ignition source. Maybe instead of converting corn or grains to alcohols for a fuel, someone should design a system that uses grain dust. Not sure about all the details, but it is intriguing for more investigation. It does avoid the whole fermentation process (which itself consumes energy).
2007-05-09 15:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by Mack Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would be fun to try! In an engine you need a constant supply of fuel to the cylinders and so a liquid is needed, you could try mixing some gunpowder in a liquid but I don't think it would work well if it was wet. You would need a pretty strong engine to stop it from being blown up as well, all in all gunpowder is good for a sudden burst of energy, for an engine you need something with a slower more controlled release. But then nuclear power plants are powered on pretty much the same stuff that is used in atom bombs...
2007-05-09 14:50:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just check out the Mythbusters episode about it. Definitely busted.
2007-05-09 15:23:53 · answer #3 · answered by RunnerGrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Myth busters did a show on it and they could not make it work. There are several pattens but none of them work either.
No
2007-05-09 15:26:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not. You can't vaporize it and it's too dirty
2007-05-09 14:48:59 · answer #5 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wouldnt be easy :)
2007-05-09 17:18:03 · answer #6 · answered by Yoho 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋