Could a Thumb-Sized Piece of C4 Kill Someone?

This is just academic, intended for discussion or a work of fiction. For our purposes, let's explore the challenges of using a small thumb-sized piece of C4 explosive to kill someone.

The Challenges

Focusing on the technical aspects, we face significant obstacles in effectively utilizing a small amount of C4. The primary challenges include: Initiating the Charge: C4 is not highly sensitive. A reliably consistent initiating charge would be needed to ensure the small piece detonates correctly. Taping Under the Chair: Taping the charge under the chair is unlikely to work effectively. The blast wave would most likely dissipate downward through the chair, reducing its lethality. Material Resistance: Even if well taped, the chair's bottom is typically made of a tough material, further reducing the effectiveness of the blast. Penetration and Targeting: Directing the explosion to penetrate the chair and target vital areas like the heart, brain, or lungs is exceptionally challenging. The blast would likely create a small hole or crack, but not a lethal one.

Alternative Approaches

Some suggest using a shaped charge or a fragment-back blast against the chair. These methods have their merits but are still fraught with uncertainty and difficulty:

Shaped Charge: Potentially more effective at penetrating the chair. However, the explosion would still likely create only a small hole, insufficient for killing. Fragment-Backed Blast: Might cause significant damage to the chair legs, leading to potential injury or death through bleeding or shock. But this is highly unpredictable and dangerous.

Even if the explosive penetrates the chair, the blast radius and location would likely be far from vital organs. The bone structure, especially the femoral artery, presents a substantial obstacle. While a successful hit is possible, the odds are not in one's favor.

Real-World Examples

The Hitler assassination attempt is a great example of how protective furniture can render an explosive ineffective. The attempt involved a much larger charge, yet it failed due to the sturdy table protection.

It is clear that the person in the chair would likely face severe injuries, but the likelihood of a quick kill is minimal.

Conclusion

The use of a thumb-sized piece of C4 to kill someone through a chair is a challenge that is highly improbable in practice. The obstacles are technical and mechanical in nature, making any attempt more akin to a Hollywood plot than a real-world scenario.

The individual in the chair would certainly suffer severe injuries, but the ability to achieve a quick, fatal outcome is exceptionally difficult.