From the Earth to the Moon · Chapter
The Question of Powders explained
The Gun Club committee debates the type and quantity of powder needed to launch the projectile to the moon.
What happens
The Gun Club committee debates the type and quantity of powder needed to launch the projectile to the moon. After considering large-grained powder and various quantities, President Barbicane proposes using pyroxyle (fulminating cotton) to reduce the volume while maintaining explosive power, settling on 400,000 pounds of pyroxyle instead of 1,600,000 pounds of gunpowder.
Themes in this chapter
Scientific Progress and Innovation
The committee's detailed discussion of powder chemistry and the adoption of pyroxyle demonstrate the application of cutting-edge science to achieve the lunar mission.
Human Ambition and Exploration
The bold decision to use 1,600,000 lbs. of powder (later reduced via pyroxyle) reflects the immense ambition to reach the moon.
Risk and Sacrifice for Knowledge
The committee's willingness to experiment with powerful explosives and compress them into a cannon highlights the risks taken for scientific advancement.
Characters to notice
- Impey Barbicane
President of the Gun Club; proposes using pyroxyle to reduce powder volume and doubles Maston's proposed quantity to 1,600,000 lbs. before converting to fulminating cotton.
- J. T. Maston
Secretary of the Gun Club; proposes 800,000 lbs. of powder, later enthusiastically supports Barbicane's pyroxyle plan and embraces him.
- Major Elphinstone
Distinguished chemist; opens the debate with figures on powder use, advocates for large-grained powder, and proposes 500,000 lbs. of powder.
- General Morgan
Committee member; suggests agreeing on the nature of powder before quantity and proposes 200,000 lbs. of powder.
Key passages
“It is generally known and often asserted that gunpowder was invented in the fourteenth century by the monk Schwartz, who paid for his great discovery with his life. But it is nearly proved now that this story must be ranked among the legends of the Middle Ages.”
Though commonly believed that gunpowder was invented by the monk Schwartz in the 14th century, this is now considered a medieval legend.
Historical clarification on the origins of gunpowder.
“Thus instead of 1,600,000 lbs. of powder, we shall only have 400,000 lbs. of fulminating cotton, and as we can, without danger, compress 500 lbs. of cotton into 27 cubic feet, that quantity will not take up more than 180 feet in the chamber of the Columbiad.”
By using pyroxyle, the required powder is reduced from 1.6 million pounds to 400,000 pounds, occupying only 180 feet of the cannon chamber.
Barbicane's key proposal to use fulminating cotton for efficiency.