What would happen if you fired a gun in space?

itsfullofstars:

Great question, and the answer might surprise you! Believe it or not, a gun’s ability to fire doesn’t depend on the presence of atmospheric oxygen. A gun will fire just fine in the vacuum of space because the gunpowder and explosive primer contain enough oxygen to create combustion and propel a bullet. Other variables, however, will play a part, mostly temperature. Temperature varies greatly in the vacuum of space. Too cold and the parts in a gun will stick or jam, too hot and the explosive powders can ignite prematurely.

Here’s a cool experiment that I’m glad no one has attempted: if you fire a bullet on the moon with enough velocity, it could in fact begin to orbit… Just make sure you step out of the way, or else you’ll shoot yourself in the back!

More info on firing guns in space can be found here.

(via sanityscraps)

Source: itsfullofstars

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    Very interesting.
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    other day. While playing StarCraft.
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