Electromagnetism to deviate the path of an incoming bullet

AI Thread Summary
Electromagnetism could theoretically be used to deviate the path of an incoming bullet, although practical applications are limited. The interaction between the bullet's and a steel plate's electromagnetic fields could cause deflection, but significant deviation is unlikely. Alternative methods discussed include using UV or IR radiation to charge the bullet or even melt it before impact. The conversation also humorously compares this concept to using complex technology for simple tasks, suggesting the idea may be impractical. Overall, while the theory exists, real-world implementation poses significant challenges.
Qyamat
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
Hello,everyone
I was thinking if electromagnetism could be used to deviate the path of an incoming bullet?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
U see,electromagnetism requires that bodies must have nonzero electrical charge.(in the first approximation).Now,the bullet may not be neutral.The friction with the pipe (?) in the pistol could deprive him of electrons,but i wouldn't count on a massive deviation by em.fields...

Daniel.
 
Qyamat said:
Hello,everyone
I was thinking if electromagnetism could be used to deviate the path of an incoming bullet?
Sure. Take a very thick plate of hard steel. Place it at a 45 degree angle to the bullet path. When the bullet gets close enough to the steel plate, the electomagnetic fields of the electrons and protons in the atoms in the bullet will interact with the electomagnetic fields of the electrons and protons in the atoms in the plate and the bullet (what is left of it) will deflect.

AM
 
Use a lot of UV-EM for a photoelectric effect that would eject electrons until it is sufficiently charged to be deflected by a DC field or magnetism (though ) ...

Or...

Radiate so much IR (absorbed by metals) that the bullet melts and scattered before it hits target...

Or...

Radiate with so much visible (reflected) that radiation pressure alone deviates it...

Or...

Radiate so much gamma and x-rays that... well, much of the above + nuclear reactions that might be preferentially oriented to add to radiation presure...
 
When a bullet hits it's target, the electrons in the bullet are repelled by the electrons in the target, via Coulomb interaction. The result being that the bullet bounces off, thereby being deviated from it's trajectory by Electromagnetism.

Although that's not the real answer you were looking for, right?
 
I was thinking if electromagnetism could be used to deviate the path of an incoming bullet?

This sounds like my brother's idea of deflecting raindrops from a windshield using magnetic fields. It's like using a supercomputer to calculate your gas bill.
 
SpaceTiger said:
It's like using a supercomputer to calculate your gas bill.

So it has already been done? Damn. *throws away prototype*
 
Back
Top