Newton's law of equal/opposite reaction, and bullet impact...

AI Thread Summary
When a slug is fired, it generates an equal backward force due to Newton's third law. The discussion centers on the misconception that there is no opposing force when the slug impacts a target. In reality, the target material exerts a reaction force that stops or slows the bullet, demonstrating that equal and opposite reactions do occur. The conversation also touches on the idea of absorbing kinetic energy to minimize impact forces, though clarity on this concept is lacking. Understanding these forces is crucial for grasping the dynamics of projectile impacts.
davidsirmons
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When fired, a slug's acceleration down a barrel produces an equal backward force. I get that.
What I DON'T get, is why there is no rebounding force counter to a slug's impact by the material being struck? The material/molecules simply get impacted and pushed via the force generated. Why is there no equal reaction going in the opposite direction of the bullet? By all observation, the forces exerted by a slug impact do NOT have equal opposing force against the bullet.
 
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davidsirmons said:
By all observation, the forces exerted by a slug impact do NOT have equal opposing force against the bullet.
They do. That's what stops the bullet once it hits the target. Without a reaction force supplied by the material being struck, the bullet would just continue ahead with constant velocity.
 
davidsirmons said:
When fired, a slug's acceleration down a barrel produces an equal backward force. I get that.
What I DON'T get, is why there is no rebounding force counter to a slug's impact by the material being struck? The material/molecules simply get impacted and pushed via the force generated. Why is there no equal reaction going in the opposite direction of the bullet? By all observation, the forces exerted by a slug impact do NOT have equal opposing force against the bullet.

What makes you say that? The bullet is stopped or slowed by the target by reaction forces.

If you mean a paper target, both action and reaction are slight.
 
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that indeed a reaction is taking place, though I was thinking double the reaction (i.e. reversing the bullet direction)
Am looking for a way to either absorb kinetic energy entirely without broad transmission, or some other way to negate to 0 impact forces.
 
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davidsirmons said:
Am looking for a way to either absorb kinetic energy entirely without broad transmission, or some other way to negate to 0 impact forces.

I don't understand what that means. Please state your question more clearly.
 

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