From the Earth to the Moon, Chapter 9 summary
Chapter 9 of 51 · Part 1 · 6 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 9, the committee debates the explosive charge for the Columbiad, and Barbicane proposes replacing ordinary gunpowder with 400,000 pounds of guncotton. His proposal preserves the required force while leaving enough barrel space for the projectile to accelerate, completing the committee’s technical plan.
What happens
- The narrator explains gunpowder’s expanding gases before the committee meets to settle the charge.
- Major Elphinstone compares existing guns and argues for coarse powder, while Morgan raises concerns about damage.
- Morgan, Elphinstone, and Maston propose increasing quantities, but Barbicane calls for the force of 1,600,000 pounds.
- Barbicane proposes 400,000 pounds of guncotton, which supplies the desired force while occupying less space.
- Maston embraces Barbicane, and the meeting ends with the projectile, cannon, and explosive questions settled.
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What charge does Barbicane finally propose for the Columbiad?
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