Airsoft & Paintball The fun, danger, and physics behind combat sports.

Airsoft is a combat sport in which opponents are eliminated when struck by small plastic BBs. Airsoft guns are typically designed as replicas of real firearms. Paintball is a similar sport where opponents are eliminated when struck by larger, liquid-filled gelatin paintballs fired by specialized paintball guns. Definitions:

History Paintball use began in forestry and agriculture when the paintballs were used to mark trees from a distance and used by cattlemen to mark their cows. Then, in 1981, twelve people tried using paintball guns to play a game called “Survival”. Similar to capture the flag, the game soon grew in popularity and the purchase of paintball guns for gaming began.

Airsoft, on the other hand, was developed in Japan in the 1980’s. Local laws there prevent any privately owned firearms, so frustrated gun enthusiasts began making precise replicas of real firearms that shot tiny plastic BBs instead of live ammunition.

Time For A Little Physics Matter is anything that is made of atoms and has mass. Energy is the capacity to do work. It is measured in Joules. Velocity is the change in position per amount of time (ex: meters per second).

Airsoft vs. Paintball Standard airsoft pellets have an average mass of around 0.20 grams ( kg) while paintballs are closer to 2.84 grams ( kg). The equation for the energy of objects in motion, called kinetic energy, is E = ½mv² where E = energy (J), m = mass (kg), and v = velocity (m/s)

Energy upon striking skin at a speed of 90 meters/second: Paintball Pellet: E = ½(.00284kg)(90m/s) ² = Joules Airsoft Pellet: E = ½(.0002kg)(90m/s) ² = 0.81 Joules Pro Baseball pitch: E = ½(.145kg)(41m/s) ² = 120 Joules Pro Tennis Serve: E = ½(.06kg)(63m/s) ² = 120 Joules

Conclusions: Even though airsoft pellets strike with less energy than a paintball, their energy is more focused in one area because of their size. This means that they can pierce skin more easily, while paintballs distribute their energy over a wider area and usually cause larger bruises.

Examples: Airsoft Paintball

It’s important to realize that improper use of these “toy” weapons can still cause terrible injury.

Playing Responsibly Always wear goggles! Treat every gun as if it’s loaded Don’t rest your finger on the trigger unless you’re ready to fire Always be aware of what you’re aiming at Never shoot at anyone who does not have proper safety gear Avoid displaying airsoft or paintball guns in public places because of their realistic appearance

Sources Images: Bruises: