It is curious how concepts as simple as the difference in density can become something so striking.
The clear examples of differences in density are usually water and oil, which theoretically cannot be mixed because they have different densities. However, here we are not talking about density but about polarity or electric charge, a clear misconception.
On the other hand, air and water s have different densitiesBecause their volumes have a different space between them depending on whether we are talking about air or water. And here comes our curiosity today: Is the explosion of a grenade more deadly on land or in water? Scientist Mark Rober has also asked himself the same question.
What happens when a grenade explosion occurs
To begin with, we must understand how the explosion of a grenade works. This artifact, the grenade, is nothing but a small pump with a metal casing designed exclusively to form different pieces (shrapnel), which will act independently as irregular bullets thanks to the pressure exerted by the same explosion.
However, unlike a normal bullet, the range of the shrapnel after the explosion of a common grenade on dry land would not be much more than about 4 or 5 meters away; but a bullet can go much further depending on the type of bullet and the artifact used to launch it.
In addition, apart from the shrapnel we must take into account the blast wave formed around the explosion. This also exists in the firing of a bullet, but on a smaller scale.
The differences between a grenade explosion on land or in water
Taking into account the concept of a grenade, let us return to today’s question: Where can the explosion of a grenade be more lethal, on land or in water?
As we saw in your day with the example of the scientist who shot himself in the water, there is a clear difference between air (dry land) and water: the density difference. Water is clearly denser than airthat is, their molecules are closer to each other (and therefore in the air they are more separated); therefore we move more slowly in water than in air. It is not a matter of gravity, but of density.
This means that, if the molecules are closer together, they are more resistant to the passage of anything and therefore more force is needed to get through them. In the explosion of a grenade, both the shrapnel and the associated blast wave would have greater difficulties in passing through water than air, as scientist Mark Rober explains in this video.
Also, to finish, we must take into account that the deeper in the water the greater the pressure exerted on any object that you are in it; so humans cannot dive too deep, as our lungs will eventually collapse.
