Ballistics Riddle
 Lieutenant Colonel
Points: 296
|
Apr 7, 2008 11:48 pm
Alright, here's a ballistics/physics question for all you experts. Suppose you had a rifle (any caliber) perfectly level, 4' off the ground (measured from the muzzle), set up on a perfectly flat surface (i.e. salt flats,) and you fired that round. At the exact same time that the round was fired, you drop the same type of bullet (projectile only) from 4' off the ground. Which bullet will hit the ground first? I have my own opinion of the answer, and I debated a co-worker for a while today. Your input would be much appreciated. |
  Major
Points: 155
|
Apr 8, 2008 5:06 pm
both bullets would hit the ground at the same time as long as every thing is perfectly accurate.were do i collect my prize.lol |
|
Lieutenant Colonel
Points: 296
|
Apr 8, 2008 11:07 pm
At your local gun store. Bring your credit card, they'll need it for payment. That is supposed to be the answer, but I have another theory that I'll share iin a couple days when more people have had the opportunity to respond. |
|
Major
Points: 155
|
Apr 9, 2008 9:57 am
lol.ok major brad281 |
|
Lieutenant Colonel
Points: 296
|
Apr 9, 2008 6:15 pm
Glad I could provide you a laugh Captain garand. |
   Lieutenant General
Points: 1098
|
Apr 10, 2008 5:54 pm
A round fired having the opportunity to travel the distance to drop 4'-0", depending on the caliber could be over a 1,000 yards. Wouldn't that take more time than the half second to hit the floor when dropped from 4ft? "When you're determined to survive, you leave nothing to chance." |
|
Lieutenant Colonel
Points: 296
|
Apr 13, 2008 4:52 pm
that's why I argued the point. After some thought, I realized that there is no such thing as a flat surface on earth. Any given level point on earth is just a tangent line on the sphere. So, the bullet is actually climbing slightly before it begins it's descent due to gravity's acceleration. Your thoughts? |
|
Lieutenant General
Points: 1098
|
Apr 13, 2008 8:29 pm
Outstanding deduction. Perhaps bullet weight, caliber and cartage would produce differing results... "When you're determined to survive, you leave nothing to chance." |
|
Major
Points: 214
|
Apr 14, 2008 12:06 am
from what i understand they would both hit the ground at the same time if the gun is locked down and theres no muzzle flip the bullet would not climb before descent. |
|
Lieutenant Colonel
Points: 296
|
Apr 14, 2008 12:32 pm
Colonol...The only thing that I can think those variables would change would be the time it takes for the fired round to hit the ground. They would still climb slightly before gravity caused them to drop, and the round that was dropped would simply begin it's fall. |