Energy released in a gunshot explosion

[hasan_researc]

Hey,

I have a quick question about the energy released when a gun is fired. When a gun is fired, energy is released in the explosion and is transferred to the gun, bullet and is also used to heat up the surroundings.

My question is: how/why is energy released in the explosion? What is the source of that energy?

 

[Mech_Engineer]

The energy comes from the gunpowder stored in the cratridge. When the trigger is pulled, the gunpowder is ignited with a primer, burning the gunpowder and causing a rapid expansion in combustion products which propel the bullet out the muzzle of the gun.

 

[hasan_researc]

Thanks for the answer!

Just so I am clear, what is a primer?

"When the trigger is pulled, the gunpowder is ignited with a primer,":

Why is the gunpowder ignited when the trigger is pulled?

"burning the gunpowder and causing a rapid expansion in combustion products":

Why is there a rapid expansion when the gunpowder burns?

I am wondering if you answered on the top of your head or whether you reaserached and found the answer. If so, how did you actually find it? ::

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Mech_Engineer]

Thanks for the answer!

Just so I am clear, what is a primer?

"When the trigger is pulled, the gunpowder is ignited with a primer,":

The primer is a very small explosive charge at the back of the bullet. It is ignited when a firing pin hits it.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet

Why is the gunpowder ignited when the trigger is pulled?

The trigger releases a firing pin which hits the primer on the bullet, igniting the gunpowder charge.

"burning the gunpowder and causing a rapid expansion in combustion products":

Why is there a rapid expansion when the gunpowder burns?

Because that's how gunpowder works! Gunpowder is a self-oxidizing flammable material that burns very quickly when ignited.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokeless_powder

I am wondering if you answered on the top of your head or whether you reaserached and found the answer. If so, how did you actually find it? ::

Thanks again for your help!

I'm a gun enthusiast so I know how guns work, but all it takes to find how they work is to read about them on wikipedia.

 

[LURCH]

Another way of putting it;
the energy is stored as chemical potential energy in the gunpowder, then converted to kinetic energy as the gunpowder burns.