High Speed Video of Pistols Underwater - Smarter Every Day 19 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Shooting a pistol underwater reveals interesting findings about outgassing, efficiency differences between semi-automatic and revolver pistols, and the shape of the blast wave.

Key Insights

• ❤️‍🔥 Firing a pistol underwater creates an outgassing bubble as the primer seal breaks down.
• 🫢 Semi-automatic pistols are more efficient than revolvers in using gas to propel the bullet.
• ❤️‍🔥 An underwater blast wave from firing a weapon has a toroidal vortex shape, not a spherical dispersion.
• ♻️ This study contributes to the scientific understanding of firearm behavior in different environments.
• 👨‍🔬 The research may have practical applications in military, law enforcement, and diving operations.
• 🦾 The findings highlight the need for further exploration and studies on underwater firearm mechanics.
• 🦺 Understanding how firearms function underwater can improve safety and efficiency in underwater operations.

Transcript

Hey it's me Destin. Welcome to this week in Smarter Every Day. Today we're gonna try to figure something out that I've always wondered. What happens when you shoot a pistol underwater. I think revolvers are gonna act a little different than semi-automatic pistols. [music] Alright, here we are in the field, this is the setup. So what we ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What happens when a pistol is shot underwater?

Outgassing occurs as the primer seal breaks down, creating a bubble. Semi-automatic pistols are more efficient at using gas to propel the bullet, while revolvers produce a blast wave that wastes energy.

Q: Why do semi-automatic pistols perform better underwater?

Semi-automatic pistols have a more effective mechanism for directing the gases towards the back of the bullet, leading to increased velocity. Revolvers allow gases to escape between the cylinder and barrel.

Q: What shape does the blast wave take when a weapon is fired underwater?

Contrary to assumptions, the blast wave forms a toroidal vortex shape, similar to a doughnut. The gases flow in a loop around the bullet instead of dispersing spherically.

Q: Are there any practical applications for this research?

Understanding the behavior of firearms underwater can be useful for military, law enforcement, and diving operations. It provides insights into how underwater firing affects bullet velocity and energy dispersion.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Revolvers and semi-automatic pistols were fired underwater to observe the gas bubble formation between the revolver and barrel.

• Outgassing was observed as soon as the hammer struck the firing pin and the primer broke down.

• Semi-automatic pistols were found to be more efficient at applying gases to the bullet, while revolvers wasted energy in a blast wave.

• The blast wave from fired weapons was discovered to have a toroidal vortex shape, resembling a bagel or doughnut.