What Happens When You Shoot Potassium Bullets Into Water

The results are explosive.


Water beats fire, we all know that. But thanks to a quirk of physics, sometimes water can make fire, particularly when it mixes with soft, alkali metals like potassium or sodium. So what happens if, instead of just throwing those metals into some water and watching them react, you load them into bullets and then shoot those bullets into water? 

This. This happens: 

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As the Backyard Scientist explains, he simply took the lead out of some normal bullets and refilled the copper jackets with the reactive metals before shooting said bullets into a fishtank. The results were explosive not only because of the shockwave of the bullet hitting the water, but also the literal explosion, which is evidenced by the smoke. It's a little hard to catch at full speed, but in slow-mo it all becomes clear. 

Of course given that they're full of gunpowder and metal that explodes when it comes in contact with moisture, these are some of the more dangerous bullets out there. It's no wonder this isn't standard issue ammo. 

Source: Backyard Scientist

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