RE: [Vo]:1992 Explosion at SRI

[Jed Rothwell]

The severity of the accident was caused not just by the ~39,700 J 
energy release, but also because it was directed energy, like a 
rocket or a bullet coming from a gun barrel. It was a rocket that 
happened to be aimed at poor Andy Riley's head.

The energy release from the gunpowder driving a bullet is small. 
Wikipedia claims that a .22 caliber pistol bullet has only 159 J of 
"muzzle energy" and a rifle around 1,800 J.

- Jed