Can 'Star Wars'-like explosions occur in space w/ no oxygen?

Question

I know it is sci-fi but on armageddon too, things blow up in space. - I thought one needs oxygen for combustion?

Answer 1

Nuclear explosions resulting from the destruction of spacecraft have nothing to do with the presence or absence of oxygen, and neither do the explosions that result from asteroids or other bodies in space colliding with each other. Such collisions vaporize parts of both objects and the gases expand outwards with enormous force. A chemically powered rocket or spacecraft can and has exploded in space, but that is because the fuel and oxidizer mixed and ignited in an uncontrolled manner. Explosives such C-4, Semtex, RDX and TNT also will detonate in space, because they have their own built in oxygen or oxidizer, along with the blasting caps or detonators used to set them off. This fact has been used time and time again already by space agencies and the armed forces of all the great powers today. Even if two spacecraft that had nothing aboard to explode collided with each other, there would be an explosion because the impact would instantly melt and vaporize metal in both, causing an explosion.

Answer 2

An explosion can occur even though there is no oxygen in space as long as the explosive device (or whatever it is blowing up) has oxygen available to it. An explosion is not combustion like a fire that needs a constant flow of oxygen to maintain itself - an explosion is a split-second detonation. The destruction is from the shock wave from the force of the explosion, not the fire.

Answer 3

Because people prefer movies with big bangs (not the theory, the explosions). Gene Roddenberry (Star Trek) had the same problem: He knew that there was no sound in space but TV producers did not like his idea of seeing the Enterprise zoom by silently. So, he added a 'swishhhh' sound and the TV producers bought the show. Despite its location in space (for parts of the action), Star Wars is much closer, in style, to a Western than it is to science fiction. Hence lots of fighting, with noise.

Answer 4

Generally explosives do not need external oxygen to detonate.

Back in the good old days of the early cold war, they used to test nuclear weapons in space. A bad idea, but very cool looking.

Answer 5

Explosions do not need EXTERNAL oxygen. Explosives contain their own oxygen in chemically bound form. And not all explosions are a chemical process anyway. Nuclear explosions are not. And something as simple as a pressurized tank that breaks will explode by simple mechanical force.

So those Star Wars explosions are certainly believable.

Answer 6

I think there would be a small one, because of the oxygen in the actual crafts.... Also as a fun note though, you would not be able to hear any explosion because of the fact there is no air for the sound to travel through :p

Answer 7

Not on the scale shown in that movie where the giant fireball could be seen incredible galactic distances away.

But it sure made a great special effect and that was a lot of the appeal of Star Wars.

Answer 8

explosives carry their own supply of oxygen, they work just fine in space.

Answer 9

think about it. the ships are filled with oxygen. if something hits the fuel it would definitely explode. and then it exploded the oxygen inside would be released into the fire where it would burn.

Answer 10

I think star wars is better than pirates of the carribean.