Re: A question for those interested in physics...

Edwin wrote:

> C Lund <chr...@NOSPAMchello.no> wrote in
> news:chr...@news01.chello.no:
>
> > In article <x7Vn8.1094$sO2...@news.xtra.co.nz>,
> >  "Robert Bowmaker" <rob...@dse.gen.nz> wrote:
> >
> >> Firing bullets straight up is a common occurence in many situations
> >> (i.e. warning shots, shooting at the sky during a funeral for certain
> >> people etc.)
> >>
> >> The question is: What actually happens to the bullet? Does it go into
> >> space?
> >
> > Unlikely. I don't think the bullet goes fast enough.
> >
> >> Does it fall back down?
> >
> > Yes.
> >
> >> Does it burn up?
> >
> > Unfortunatly, no.
> >
> > Not only does the bullet fall back down, but when it hits the ground,
> > it's travelling at roughly the same speed as when it left the gun
> > (minus a little for air resistance). I'm pretty sure people have been
> > killed this way.
>
> No, the force of gravity acting on a few ounces of lead can't accelerate it
> to the same velocity it had by being fired out of the gun.  If it could,
> you'd never be able to fire the bullet straight up. The forces would be
> equal.
>

Back to physics class for you. In the absence of air resistance the speed will
be identical.

Think: what force is slowing the bullet from its initial speed to rest? What
force accelerates the bullet from rest as it descends? How long does it act
for in each case?

D.

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