Bullet Energy Transfer (Stopping Power)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on an experiment designed to test and compare the "stopping power" of various defensive handgun loads, defined as a calculation of power relative to penetration distance. The proposed method involves firing rounds into a column of ballistic gel equipped with a scale to measure the downward force. Participants confirm that the concept of stopping power as a function of kinetic energy loss and deceleration is reasonable. The calculations involve using the formula for work, emphasizing the relationship between mass, acceleration, and distance traveled. Overall, the experimental setup is deemed sound for measuring stopping power.
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I'm working on setting up an experiment to test, calculate and compare the "stopping power" of various defensive handgun loads. This experiment assumes that "stopping power" is some sort of calculation like "power"/penetration distance, meaning that the higher the "power" and shorter the penetration distance the better.

The experiment I'm looking at would be a column of ballistic gel on a scale or some such device that will chart the downward force throughout the experiment, and then fire the round straight down into the gel.

So what I'm wondering is: first, does my concept of "stopping power" seem reasonable; second, what would you guys recommend as the best way to measure/calculate the "power" of the round; third, am I going about this all wrong or does the experiment setup seem reasonable?

Thanks!
 
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your stopping power looks like force.

work = mass * acceleration * distance travelled

so the bullet comes in with X amount of kinetic energy and loses it all traveling some distance Y so that the stopping force on it was mass* deceleration that occurred.
 
jedishrfu said:
your stopping power looks like force.

work = mass * acceleration * distance travelled

so the bullet comes in with X amount of kinetic energy and loses it all traveling some distance Y so that the stopping force on it was mass* deceleration that occurred.

Outstanding, thank you. This makes total sense.
 
This has been discussed many times on PF, and will likely come up again, so the video might come handy. Previous threads: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/is-a-treadmill-incline-just-a-marketing-gimmick.937725/ https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/work-done-running-on-an-inclined-treadmill.927825/ https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/how-do-we-calculate-the-energy-we-used-to-do-something.1052162/
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