You got fired, and you still hang around here like a big loser. Why can't he?

Cordelia ,'Chosen'


Natter 43: I Love My Dead Gay Whale Crosspost.  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Dana - Mar 28, 2006 6:17:02 am PST #6548 of 10001
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.

Now that I think about it, why did they need a spacesuit to fire a gun?

Something about oxygen, wasn't it?


tommyrot - Mar 28, 2006 6:17:30 am PST #6549 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

Now that I think about it, why did they need a spacesuit to fire a gun?

Yeah, that bothered me. I don't think you'd need external oxygen for the chemical reaction to occur inside the shell casing.

But, whatev....


tommyrot - Mar 28, 2006 6:20:20 am PST #6550 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

Will a gun fire without oxygen?

The actual stuff that goes "boom" in the gun wouldn't need oxygen, as it already has it in chemical form - much like a solid-fuel rocket. The only other issue is the percussion cap, which ignites the chemicals in the shell when it's hit by the firing pin. I don't think that need external oxygen either, but I don't know what kind of chemical reaction is occuring there....


Gudanov - Mar 28, 2006 6:20:25 am PST #6551 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping

Will a gun fire without oxygen?

The cartridge has carries it's own oxidizing agent. Aren't there anti-shark weapons that fire a shotgun shell underwater? I didn't give it a second thought when I saw the show, but on second thought, I don't think you need an oxygen supply.

It's not very important, just a struck me upon seeing the quote.

Edit: Talking about whether a gun will work in space is a male cliche, isn't it. Damn.


tommyrot - Mar 28, 2006 6:23:23 am PST #6552 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

Aren't there anti-shark weapons that fire a shotgun shell underwater?

Yeah, you'd think that anti-shark guns would still fire if one encountered a Space Shark.


Nutty - Mar 28, 2006 6:23:40 am PST #6553 of 10001
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."

Don't quote me, but isn't the "chemical reaction" in a shell casing dependent on O2 to actually burn? Most firey explosions have that problem.

I mean, the way the episode was set up, it wasn't exactly a plot point; I thought it was a nice nod to Physics Reality.


sarameg - Mar 28, 2006 6:25:18 am PST #6554 of 10001

Chocolate never belongs in oatmeal cookies. Blerg. Raisins are fine, though.


Gudanov - Mar 28, 2006 6:25:30 am PST #6555 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping

Don't quote me, but isn't the "chemical reaction" in a shell casing dependent on O2 to actually burn? Most firey explosions have that problem.

It has it's own O2. If it didn't, the cartridge would do more of a smolder than a bang.


Gudanov - Mar 28, 2006 6:26:22 am PST #6556 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping

Yeah, you'd think that anti-shark guns would still fire if one encountered a Space Shark.

Good point. Space Sharks probably have lasers too.


Gudanov - Mar 28, 2006 6:26:54 am PST #6557 of 10001
Coding and Sleeping

Chocolate never belongs in oatmeal cookies. Blerg. Raisins are fine, though.

Sarameg is wise in the way of oatmeal cookies.