Bullet Drop vs. Bullet Shot: Which Reaches the Ground First?

[jklamont]

My question is not homework, but a simple physics question that caused discussion (and differing opinions from people with no scientific background) and needs a scientific answer:

If one person dropped a bullet from 5 feet and another person shot a bullet at a height of 5 feet, would they both reach the ground at the same time?

 

[neutrino]

Yes, if the bullet is shot horizontally.

 

[OlderDan]

My question is not homework, but a simple physics question that caused discussion (and differing opinions from people with no scientific background) and needs a scientific answer:

If one person dropped a bullet from 5 feet and another person shot a bullet at a height of 5 feet, would they both reach the ground at the same time?

What is even more intriguing is that if one person dropped a bullet B1 from any height and another bullet B2 was fired from a gun at ground level aimed at B1 at the exact moment B1 was dropped, the two bullets would collide no matter how fast B2 was fired.

 

[HallsofIvy]

That is all assuming, of course, that air resistance is negligible. It is based on the fact that horizontal and vertical motion are independent.