TIL the difference between deflagration and detonation. Deflagration is subsonic combustion (ex: gunpowder), while detonation is supersonic combustion (ex: dynamite). - eviltoast
      • oce 🐆@jlai.luOP
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        10
        ·
        2 months ago

        The combustion of gun powder is slower than sound speed, it doesn’t mean the bullet cannot be though.

      • thedirtyknapkin@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        8
        ·
        2 months ago

        loose gunpowder* but yes, gunpowder actually burns very slowly. in fact, we have designed gunpowder to burn slower than old blackpowder from the musket days. it’s the containment and pressure that makes it work in a gun. but it’s also why it’s not uncommon to actually shoot some amount of unburned powder from many guns. a thing that was difficult to know or prove before high speed cameras.