Table of Contents
Can gunpowder go off underwater?
Worse, black powder can be permanently ruined by water. This is because it’s a mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate, KNO3), sulfur, and charcoal, and saltpeter is water-soluble. If you get it wet enough, the saltpeter can be completely washed out of the mixture.
Does gun powder need oxygen?
Modern ammunition contains its own oxidizer, a chemical that will trigger the explosion of gunpowder, and thus the firing of a bullet, wherever you are in the universe. No atmospheric oxygen required.
Can a gun be fired under water?
“Can a gun fire underwater?” Absolutely! Gunpowder contains oxygen – a key element in the firing process – so when the trigger is pulled, the gun still goes off exactly as it would on land as long as no water has crept inside the shell casing.
Does gunpowder need oxygen to combust?
Potassium nitrate, also known as ‘saltpetre’, or ‘saltpeter’, decomposes at high temperature to provide oxygen for the reaction. This means that gunpowder doesn’t need to be exposed to air to burn – and is why smothering fireworks won’t stop them burning!
How does a bullet fire without oxygen?
Bullets carry their own oxidising agent in the explosive of the cartridge (which is sealed, anyway) so there’s no need for atmospheric oxygen to ignite the propellant.
What would happen to a bullet fired in air?
If you fire a gun into the air, the bullet will travel up to a mile high (depending on the angle of the shot and the power of the gun). Air resistance limits its speed, but bullets are designed to be fairly aerodynamic, so the speed is still quite lethal if the bullet happens to hit someone.
How deep does a bullet go in water?
If you are asking how far a bullet can travel in water and still make a serious wound in your body, the answer is approximately 3 feet +or – depending on the density of the water.