Need gun-related 8th grade Science Project suggestions

Physics

Action has equal and opposite reaction.
By using the reaction a semi-auto pistol reloads it self. An explanation of how the bullet's impulse causes the slide to go reward, against the operating spring to reload the pistol. How the pistol operates? How the strength of the spring works to control the reaction?
 
I think imho most 8th graders (or judges) probably wont have any clue as to what most of these things mean. They will probably understand the physics part of these projects but that could also apply to baseball or any other instance where something is thrown through the air. Since most all science fair projects explain a process why not take a person through the basic functions of a handgun from trigger pull all the way to rechambering the next round, if your using an semi-auto. I think it would be cool to explain to people that guns are marvels of science and not just people killers. Just my two cents, all of the above are great ideas as well.
 
2 things come to mind

One is show how a 1911 is desigened without (excluding grip screws) screws holding it together. And how it was desigend to be assembled/disassembled without tools.
The second is show the diferrence in powder charge between light and heavy bullet weights for a given caliber. The concept of less powder for a heavier bullet would be an interesting project.
 
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A few things on the science project.

It isn't meant to be a history lesson or a political soap box, so the matchlock to centerfire and micro stamping or Humanity of JHP/JSP ammo vs. FMJ is out. ( The latter is just asking for trouble in a science fair type of environment. This isn't a anti gun thing, it is more of a out of place topic thing. If a science project showed up listing ways to slaughter animals it would have the same effect. However, if the school was in a farm area where animals were the primary crop, it might become acceptable. )

The project needs to be less about guns and more about scientific method that just happens to use a gun. The fire a bullet / drop a bullet is a great topic as everyone will get the premise and likely be surprised with the results.

Something having to do with recoil would be a good idea as would be the ballistic pendulum.

Remember, sci projects are about having a problem, coming up with a theory, a method to prove / disprove, then perform testing. Once the project gets past the show at the school, a regional show judge only has a few minutes to look at each project. They are not going to sit through a complicated display so make it simple but complete.

Also, don't put too much faith in the teacher if they give a bad grade, one of my sci projects got a D from my teacher, then went on to get 3rd place at regionals. ( it was about heat transfer using solar heating as a model)
 
I heard on the radio yesterday that a raquet ball can hit your eye with the same energy as a .22 bullet - (a public safety tip for wearing eye protection when playing sports).

I wonder if the energy is really the same.
Click to expand...

The energy could be pretty close, large relatively slow object versus small fast object. The difference is the area over which the energy is spread when it hits. The ball is going to cover a much larger area. It is not going to go through the eye into your brain like a .22 might. But it certainly could cause serious eye damage, so safety glasses are a good idea.
 
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