space and gunpowder?

Question

can you fire a gun in outerspace ie...will gunpowder still ignite.
I think so , want to be sure (not like I'm hunting aliens or anything)

Answer 1

Gunpowder is not flammable in the way that wood or gasoline is. Wood and gasoline require an external oxygen source. Gunpowder contains its own built-in oxygen source, which allows it to burn much more rapidly (i.e., explode) than any ordinary fuel.

A gun will work perfectly well in a vacuum. Since the expanding gases will be trapped behind the bullet, while there is no gas at all in front of the bullet, the difference in pressure between each side of the bullet will be even larger. Additionally, there will be no wind to affect the bullet's trajectory, so accuracy could improve.

Answer 2

Gunpower carries its own oxidizer in the form of KNO3. As such, it will operate just fine in a vacuum. Think just a bit. World War II and Korean era aircraft fired bullets at very high altitude where there was very little oxygen.

Answer 3

Most ballistic propellants are not the old fashioned gunpowder, which requires an external oxidant. A typical .38 caliber revolver would fire as it does on earth because the shell is sealed and the propellant contains its own oxidant.

Hey, Joe, where you goin' with that gun in your hand....(?)

Answer 4

Unless it contained it's own oxygen a charge could not accumulate enough oxygen fast enough to be effective.
Some high explosives turn from solid to gas without the conventional burning of oxygen. C4 etc.

Answer 5

I have my doubts about it. Solid fueled rockets incorporate an oxidizer to ensure the burn. For ammunition if the cartridge case were sealed enough to maintain the entrapped oxygen, then the cartridge would explode, but without some sort of oxidizer, I don't think you will get ignition.

Answer 6

YES.