eli5 Why does the shell of a bullet come out of a gun but can shoot people?

Question

eli5 Why does the shell of a bullet come out of a gun but can shoot people?

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Answer 1

Here’s an ELI5 explanation.

Get an empty 2-liter soda bottle. Throw out the cap. Stuff a carrot into the opening. Put the bottle onto the ground, then jump on it. As the air is forced out of the bottle, it’ll send the carrot flying.

A typical bullet is similar. The shell is the bottle. The carrot is the actual bullet. When the power inside the shell is ignited, it expands rapidly, forcing the bullet to separate from the shell and fly out the end of the gun barrel. The shell is now empty.