The effect of gravity on a speeding bullet

Discussion in 'Physics & Math' started by Magical Realist, Jan 31, 2017.

  1. exchemist Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    12,451
    I think the point is that in the OP scenario we are not in deep space but simply high above the Earth. If that is the case, then a bullet will be subject to the Earth's gravity and will accelerate, as Origin says.

    Of course if we were in deep space, remote from any gravitational effects, then what you say would be true.
     
  2. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  3. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,077
    So I am not loosing my mind

    Thanks

    Fall to Earth accelerating might have helped

    So no hallucination about a train either right?
     
  4. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  5. exchemist Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    12,451
    There were no trains in the OP.
     
  6. Google AdSense Guest Advertisement



    to hide all adverts.
  7. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,077
    True

    But there was in a post a little later

    Is there a rule only to send post which only relates to the original post?
     
  8. river

    Messages:
    17,307
    Earlier you mean .

    # the post .
     
  9. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,077
    Original post above

    Post number 14 above

    Unless my mathmatics has failed me 14 comes after 1
     
  10. river

    Messages:
    17,307
    No
     
  11. sculptor Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,466
    entertaining back of the envelope morning calc..

    300 win mag, 3200 fps muzzle velocity = about 2181 mph just a tad shy of the speed of the sr71 blackbird about 2200 mph.
    That is one damned fast train...........a true "bullet train"?
    so add the 2181 mph to 2181 mph gives us a bullet speed of 4362 mph, about 6M
    WOW
    Would that create enough friction to burn up the bullet?
    (space shuttle reentry was just a tad under 25M)

    ...............
    OK I'm gonna make some more coffee anyone want some?
     
  12. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,077
    White no sugar thanks

    Can I peek at the envelope?
     
  13. sculptor Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    8,466
  14. RajeshTrivedi Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,525
    after the second post by origin, the thread is almost free for all. So many irrelevant posts.

    The question involving drag force on bullet is very complex, and has no straightforward answer. The OP adds to complexity wherein the simple answer as given by origin may not, repeat may not, hold.

    When I saw the terminal velocity term, it reminded me of Millikan Oil Drop experiment, but the case here is very different and involves many factors.

    1. The aircraft altitude, say 40000 ft, around 12000 meters.
    2. The speed of the aircraft, say around 200 meters per seconds.
    3. The air density at that altitude and variation in air density as the altitude falls.
    4. The speed of bullet, supersonic, say around 700 meters seconds.
    5. The direction of shot : Downwards in aircraft frame.
    6. The bullet drop speed at which the gravitational acceleration and drag deceleration would become equal. This depends on the bullet mass and design.

    So in this case the bullet will acquire the terminal speed in downwards direction (as per 6) iff the horizontal component of its speed which was 200 meter per second at start would become zero due to air drag in horizontal direction. The question is will the horizontal component become zero from 200 meter per seconds before it completes the vertical distance of 12000 meters and hits the ground?

    So the answer is since the air drag deceleration is higher as compared to gravitational acceleration at those speeds, the bullet will surely slow down, but it may not achieve the terminal constant speed before hitting the ground.
     
  15. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    The OPs question is simple and straight forward as is the answer.
    See, simple and straight forward. [shrug]
     
  16. RajeshTrivedi Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,525
    If it is so simple, as you are claiming, then take the mass of bullet as 4 grams, altitude as 40000 ft, pressure change from 100% at earth surface to 25% at 40000 ft, bullet velocity at 700 meter per seconds, aircraft velocity at 200 m/sec. Now please caluclate the altitide where it will attain the terminal speed. Can you?
     
  17. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    I can do that calculation but I certainly am not going to take the time and effort to do it (as I pointed out it involves a nonlinear differntial equation).

    But the point remains that the OPs question was straight forward and the answer is straight forward and not complicated.

    I assume this is where we are supposed to get into some annoying argument about some obtuse point about this or that, but I really do not feel like it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2017
    paddoboy, sweetpea and exchemist like this.
  18. Kittamaru Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Adieu, Sciforums. Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    13,938
    Before demanding Origin start utilizing his time performing lengthy (and in all honesty, utterly needless in the context of this thread) equations...

    Why are you asking him to do this? Are you disputing the validity of his claim?
     
    paddoboy and exchemist like this.
  19. Ophiolite Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    9,232
    No, but for the bulk of this thread you had lost your reading comprehension. Don't misinterpret exchemist's efforts to restore calm to the situation as unwavering support for your position. You are in danger of becoming seriously obtuse.
     
  20. RajeshTrivedi Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,525
    Pl refer to my post #51. He made a claim that it is simple and terminal velocity will be achieved, that response is at the best cursory, he must show how it is simple and how it will achieve terminal speed. So simple. Isn't it?

    And BTW what makes you think that in science section such calculations will be "utterly needless" ? You, being a staff member, are giving an impression that this forum is for casual chit chat only (even the sceince section).

    And yes for your information, the problem is not so simple, its a complex physics problem involving fluid mechanics, gravity, design and mass of bullet, pressure and temperature variation, supersonic speeds.
     
  21. RajeshTrivedi Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    1,525
    No you cannot, its not even available in literature analytically. It is very complex. There is no harm in discussing something in depth, your answer was indicative.
     
  22. paddoboy Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    27,543
    No harm indeed if the questioner required it, and it was given without any notable agenda.
     
  23. origin Heading towards oblivion Valued Senior Member

    Messages:
    11,888
    Of course it is available. Here is an analysis that I quickly found.
    You will notice that the analysis assumed a linear differential equation instead of a nonlinear one. This is an acceptable method to determine terminal velocity for a relatively slow moving object.
    In your example the speed of the plane/bullet in the direction parallel to the ground can be ignored. The bullet is initially at supersonic speed so the actual analysis must include the nonlinear aspect of friction. This is also available in literature. It is not easy due to the nonlinear aspect of the friction but there are many numerical methods to closely approximate the solution.
    If you are interested you can google "(non)linear equations and terminal velocity".
    If you are really, really interested get a text book from the library on Differential Equations or a text book on Aeronautical Engineering and you could probably find a example similar to yours explained.
    Have fun.
     

Share This Page