I'd like to do a controlled explosion
in zero gravity





would that even work?
(insomniac-surfer oh go on then, just this once, Fri 15 Oct 2010, 0:02, 6 replies)

No reason why not
It would happen as per normal, except that the debris wouldn't fall to the ground afterwards. An explosion in a vaccuum would be different in that it would not have a shockwave per se, although at a short range the rapidly expanding gases would create the same effect.
( MatJ LOOK, Fri 15 Oct 2010, 1:23, closed)

Also there's no safe distance
The debris will just keep going til it hits something.
(Miraclefish How appropriate, you fight like a cow, Fri 15 Oct 2010, 10:26, closed)

hmmmm
Not good
(insomniac-surfer oh go on then, just this once, Fri 15 Oct 2010, 13:08, closed)

Apart from air resistance
Air would be required for a non-nuclear explosion (air for fuel). I don't think you'd want to be anywhere near the nuclear version of this :-) There would be a safe distance, but it would be vastly increased from the safe distance required on Earth. Whatever atmosphere the explosion took place in would slow debris through friction (though very slight). Sorry, physics pedant :-)
(Booce, Fri 15 Oct 2010, 17:01, closed)

Explosives don't require air...
... they have their own oxygen bound up in compounds such as nitrates. That's what makes them so devastating. They "burn" on thier own without waiting for the air to get in.

In zero G the explosion would be spherical rather than mushroom-shaped (no convection).

Needs to be done.
( Ugi , it's a game of give and cake, Tue 19 Oct 2010, 14:29, closed)

I'm no physacist, but I know a good idea when I see one.
(Mong goose, Sat 16 Oct 2010, 0:37, closed)