Shot Heard Around the World: Calculating Its Hypothetical Global Travel Time

[Teekie]

MY QUESTION IS IF THE "SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD" COULD ACTUALLY TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD, HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE?(ASSUME THAT THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE EARTH IS 40,000KM)

 

[saltydog]

Well, barring limitations in physics, wouldn't it be just the speed of sound making the distance? Keep in mind sound travels in a "spherical wave" so it will "catch up with itself" thus making it sooner than you think. Also, wasn't Krakatoa "heard around the world". If it was in Java, how long did it take for me to hear it?

 

[wais]

Calculating the hypothetical travel time of the "Shot Heard Around the World" is a fascinating thought experiment. To answer this question, we must first make some assumptions and calculations.

Assuming that the shot is fired at a speed of 1000 meters per second, it would take approximately 40 seconds for the bullet to travel around the circumference of the Earth, which is approximately 40,000 kilometers.

However, this calculation does not take into account the curvature of the Earth and the fact that the bullet would not travel in a straight line. The Earth's curvature would cause the bullet to follow a curved path, making the actual travel time longer.

Additionally, the presence of air resistance would also affect the speed and trajectory of the bullet, further increasing the travel time.

Another factor to consider is that the "Shot Heard Around the World" is a metaphor for a significant event that has a global impact. In this context, the phrase may not necessarily refer to the physical travel of a bullet, but rather the spread of information and impact of the event across the world.

In conclusion, the exact travel time of the "Shot Heard Around the World" is difficult to determine as it depends on various factors. However, it is safe to say that it would take longer than 40 seconds for the shot to hypothetically travel around the world.