- #1
Creative
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If someone fires a bullet straight up into the sky, how high will it go? Will it return to the Earth at the same velocity that it left the gun?
Bullets & Gravity: How High Will It Go?
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SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the physics of a bullet fired straight up into the sky, specifically addressing its maximum height and return velocity. The height can be calculated using the formula H = v02 / (2g), where v0 is the initial velocity and g is the acceleration due to gravity. It is established that while a bullet will ascend to a certain height, it will not return to Earth at the same velocity due to air resistance, which affects its descent by limiting its speed to terminal velocity.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of basic physics concepts such as projectile motion
- Familiarity with the equations of motion, particularly H = v02 / (2g)
- Knowledge of terminal velocity and its implications in projectile dynamics
- Basic grasp of the effects of air resistance on moving objects
- Research the effects of air resistance on projectile motion
- Study the concept of terminal velocity in various mediums
- Explore advanced ballistics and its applications in real-world scenarios
- Learn about the physics of fluid dynamics and its impact on projectile trajectories
Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of projectiles and the effects of air resistance on their motion.
- #2
phucnv87
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It depends on the air resistance.
If we ignore the air resistance, the height is H=\frac{v_0^2}{2g} and the velocity when it returns the Earth is its initial velocity.
If we ignore the air resistance, the height is H=\frac{v_0^2}{2g} and the velocity when it returns the Earth is its initial velocity.
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- #3
turbo
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If you want to study anything but the most simplified approximation, you enter the word of ballistics, and you may never emerge.Creative said:
- #4
Pengwuino
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turbo-1 said:
Yah if you want any sort of accurate description of the bullet, you'll basically have a good model until the thing leaves the barrel and then its a free-for-all as to what it's going to do.Yah when you put a small light object into the air at high altitudes, it's going to get pushed around all over the place by the winds. Of course, air resistance will be slowing it down too.
- #5
ZackQuantum
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Wouldn't the maximum velocity of any smaller caliber bullet be lower, even in a world of theoretically perfect fluid mechanics based to give minimal resistance and maximum aid, than the initial speed caused by the explosion?
- #6
R34p3r
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yeah
it will go up as high as it can it becomes a projectile you can get those equations just by looking up in wikipedia. but it will come down at the same velocity that it went up at.
it will go up as high as it can it becomes a projectile you can get those equations just by looking up in wikipedia. but it will come down at the same velocity that it went up at.
- #7
Tide
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R34p3r said:
Well, no it won't. A bullet is launched at a speed greater than the terminal velocity and returns at a speed not exceeding the terminal velocity.
- #8
phucnv87
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Without air resistance, what lessenes the speed of the bullet?[/color]Tide said:
- #9
Tide
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phucnv87 said:
Nothing, but the scenario described by ZackQuantum to which R34p3r responded includes air resistance. Note the words "minimal resistance" and "theoretically perfect fluid mechanics."
- #10
R34p3r
- 14
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yeah
sorry bout that my bad i meant if there is no air resistance
sorry bout that my bad i meant if there is no air resistance
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