Proof/Explanation to why bullet hits the apple

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics behind a bullet hitting an apple in free fall, emphasizing that both the bullet and the apple fall at the same rate due to gravity, which accelerates them equally at -9.8 m/s². When a bullet is fired at an apple, as long as the bullet's trajectory is aimed at the apple, it will hit the apple because both objects experience the same gravitational pull. An experiment conducted in space demonstrates that a bullet fired at an apple from 300 meters away will strike the apple after one second, as both fall the same distance under gravity's influence on Earth.

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  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly gravity and acceleration.
  • Familiarity with projectile motion and trajectories.
  • Knowledge of initial velocity and its impact on motion.
  • Basic comprehension of free fall dynamics.
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  • Explore the principles of projectile motion in physics.
  • Study the effects of gravity on different objects in free fall.
  • Investigate the mathematical equations governing motion under gravity.
  • Learn about the concept of relative motion in physics.
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I have a bullet with a initial velocity and an apple in free fall (-9.8 acceleration). Whenever I shoot the bullet it will hit the apple as long as the vector of the bullet is aimed at the apple. What I want to know is why does that occur? Why is it that as long as I aim the apple, the bullet hits it?
 
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Is this a homework question? If so then you need to use the template.
 
No this is not really a home-work question? It's just a little question that I had. But I really need to know the answer.
 
OK, I have moved it from the homework section into the technical forums.
 
KingOfQuestions said:
I have a bullet with a initial velocity and an apple in free fall (-9.8 acceleration). Whenever I shoot the bullet it will hit the apple as long as the vector of the bullet is aimed at the apple. What I want to know is why does that occur? Why is it that as long as I aim the apple, the bullet hits it?
The top rated comment by CGP Grey under this video has a nice graphics explaining that:

 
The bullet and the apple fall at the same rate.

Imagine performing the experiment in space, let the apple go and simultaneously fire the gun at it from a range of 300 m with a bullet velocity of 300 m/s, the bullet will hit the apple at the apples original location 1 second later.

Now modify the experiment by adding the earth. 1 second after being dropped the apple will be 4.9 m below its original position, and the bullet will be 4.9 m below it's original trajectory for exactly the same reason. Gravity accelerated them both by the same amount for the same time, and so displaced them by the same distance.
 

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