How to Compare the Weight of Copper Vs. Zinc Vs. Steel BBs
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website, a BB gun is a device that fires or ejects a shot with a diameter of 0.18 inch or less. Some people think the term BB stands for ball bearing, but BB is actually a particular size of the projectile or "shot" used in guns.
Because of differences in density, if BBs were made of 100 percent copper, zinc or steel, their weights would be significantly different. But in reality the coated BBs are made up of a solid steel core encased with only a thin layer of zinc or copper, so the difference in their weights is smaller. BBs weigh a tiny amount: something on the order of one hundredth of an ounce. To get an accurate comparison, you need to weigh several thousand of each type.
Things You'll Need
- Copper-coated BBs
- Zinc-coated BBs
- Uncoated steel BBs
- Resealable plastic bags
- Postage scale for measuring ounces
Instructions
-
-
1
Understand how density applies to the task of comparing weights. Differences in the weights of same-size BBs are the result of differences in density of the metals that make up the BB. Using grams per cubic centimeter as units of measure, the density of copper is 8.96, zinc 7.13 and steel approximately 7.9.
-
2
Buy some BBs of each type. They come in different quantities, so make sure that you buy as many packages as it takes to end up with the same number of each type of BB.
-
-
3
Put 10,000 -- or other equal amounts of -- BBs of each type into three re-sealable plastic bags. This is to make sure you don't confuse packaging weight with BB weight.
-
4
Weigh the bags on a postal scale one at a time. Write down the three weights.
-
5
Find out the weights of your individual BBs if you'd like to do determine the comparative weights by calculations instead of measurements. Look on the packaging or online in the manufacturers' product descriptions.
-
6
Multiply the manufacturers' stated weight of one BB times 10,000. Compare these numbers with the actual results you got from measuring. This gives you a sense of how successful the manufacturers are at producing BBs of identical weight.
-
1
