Bullet droped and fired

**bluedlightning** · 10-25-2009, 12:28 PM

Watched on Mythbusters last night the old debate about if a bullet droped at the same time one is fired will they hit the ground at the same time? Answer is YES. The did the experiment with a Colt 1911A1. The gun being level and rigged to fire remotly from a ransom rest the bullet from it hit the ground .32 milliseconds after the one droped from the same hight. It just goes to prove that Newton was right. Way cool experiment.

**george parsons** · 10-25-2009, 01:09 PM

its interesting but i can see why they took on this myth....i still find it hard to believe that the fired bullet did not fall faster.

but if myth busters said its so i believe them.....its just hard to believe.

**PreserveFreedom** · 10-25-2009, 03:11 PM

I am surprised that the twist on the fired bullet didn't effect the drop and keep it in the air longer.

**gmcfixer** · 10-25-2009, 04:25 PM

Well guys, we watched that yesterday too. And before they started I said that they would hit at the same time (or close enough) because of simple physics.

Think of it this way, what causes a bullet to drop. One thing and one thing only, gravity. When we adjust our scopes for bullet drop we say that it drops "X" amount at a distance of say 100 yards. A physics minded person will tell you that we are actually adjusting for the amount of distance traveled after dropping a certain amount. Now I realize that sounds crazy but that is what actually happens and it important to understand in this case because after the bullet leaves the barrel the only thing that practically effects it as far as drop is gravity. Everything else effects the forward movement. Keep in mind this is assuming everything else is equal between the dropped bullet and the fired bullet, that the barrel is parrallel to the earth and that the timing of the firing and the drop are prefect. Make sense?

Dave Z

**Sir Knight** · 10-25-2009, 08:02 PM

Gravity pulls everything down at the same rate. So, unless a bullet was fired upward and working against gravity briefly, it will hit the ground at the same time as a dropped bullet.

**Zen900** · 10-26-2009, 01:52 AM

Dumb question:

now suppose the same test is done only this time there is twice as much propellant in the case of the bullet. Wouldn't it travel farther? If so does it stay in the air longer? Keep in mind I'm not disputing Newton. I'm sure he won a lot of bets with his theory.

**Popeye** · 10-26-2009, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen900

Dumb question:

now suppose the same test is done only this time there is twice as much propellant in the case of the bullet. Wouldn't it travel farther? If so does it stay in the air longer? Keep in mind I'm not disputing Newton. I'm sure he won a lot of bets with his theory.

Yup. The bullet will travel farther. It will also be moving faster. Twice as much time in the air, twice the speed.

Gravity is the constant.

**Sir Knight** · 10-26-2009, 07:45 AM

Actually, no. The time in the air will be the same because, as you said, gravity is the constant and will pull the bullet down at the same rate but the distance traveled will be greater.

**gmcfixer** · 10-26-2009, 09:47 AM

I have to agree with Alan, the bullets flight time will not change as long as everything else remains constant. The flight time is the same but the distance is increase because it is able to fly further in the same amount of time.

Dave Z

**Popeye** · 10-26-2009, 03:11 PM

I said it wrong. But you get my point.

**gmcfixer** · 10-26-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popeye

I said it wrong. But you get my point.

I kind of figured you meant twice the distance for the time in air rather than twice the time. Your ending it with gravity is a constant said you knew what I had said.

Dave Z

**Stevejet** · 10-27-2009, 09:35 AM

You're all a bunch of mad scientists if you ask me. This discussion reminds me of the "witch trial" in Monty Python's Holy Grail where the villagers argue thru deductive logic, led by the village genius, wether the suspect, adorned with a carrot tied to her face as a nose, should be subjected to the dunking pond to determine if she is a duck, a piece of wood, little tiny, teeny rocks or a witch, depending on if she floats!

**gmcfixer** · 10-27-2009, 10:32 AM

I see no connection between the two, have a nice day

Dave Z

**BigSwede** · 10-27-2009, 10:55 AM

The extra .32 milliseconds might have been due to curvature of the earth...just a little farther and you're in orbit!

**Seamaster** · 10-27-2009, 12:20 PM

I would think if performed in a vacuum, the times would be alot closer, also think the curvature of the earth adds a little bit also. Pretty dang cool experiment anyway.

**Zen900** · 10-28-2009, 03:55 AM

I finally see now. Gravity is the constant. I remember being absolutely astounded when I first heard that theory. I have 60 hours of college math but never understood a thing they taught me. I usually cheated on the tests. I was better at hiding formulas than calculating math.

**Urzandowski** · 11-05-2009, 09:36 PM

Another force acting on the bullet is drag. I assume the Myth Busters are in San Francisco. San Fran is perty much sea level, where the air is the thickest. Im wondering if youd get the same results if the bullet were fired at say 16,000 feet. But then at 16,000 feet the drag and gravity would be a constant on both bullets. Ok nevermind. Ow this thread makes my brain hurt.

**texasalien** · 11-10-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluedlightning

Watched on Mythbusters last night the old debate about if a bullet droped at the same time one is fired will they hit the ground at the same time? Answer is YES.

OK, I can accept this if the barrel is not pointed downward at the time the bullet is fired.

**shoey** · 11-12-2009, 12:52 AM

Thye slight difference is indeed due to air resistance. The law only holds true in a vaccum...but it is cool....we tested it in high school by flicking a penny off a table and dropping one at the same time.....if coordination was right it was close

**gmcfixer** · 11-12-2009, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoey

Thye slight difference is indeed due to air resistance. The law only holds true in a vaccum..

Describe it as air resistance or drag or anything else, it doesn't matter. The only force pulling the bullet to the ground is gravity. Bullets of the same weight are effected equally by gravity.

Dave Z

10-25-2009, 12:28 PM	#1
bluedlightning Join Date: July 9 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,668	Bullet droped and fired Watched on Mythbusters last night the old debate about if a bullet droped at the same time one is fired will they hit the ground at the same time? Answer is YES. The did the experiment with a Colt 1911A1. The gun being level and rigged to fire remotly from a ransom rest the bullet from it hit the ground .32 milliseconds after the one droped from the same hight. It just goes to prove that Newton was right. Way cool experiment. Better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. Proverbs 28:2

10-25-2009, 01:09 PM	#2
george parsons Join Date: August 21 2007 Location: miami,oklahoma Posts: 589	its interesting but i can see why they took on this myth....i still find it hard to believe that the fired bullet did not fall faster. but if myth busters said its so i believe them.....its just hard to believe. Barack Hussein Obama is still a side-stepping scum sucking hypocritical Raghead. direct quote from old soldier

10-25-2009, 03:11 PM	#3
PreserveFreedom Join Date: June 16 2001 Location: Arrey, NM, USA Posts: 2,884	I am surprised that the twist on the fired bullet didn't effect the drop and keep it in the air longer. An it harm none, do as you will.

10-25-2009, 04:25 PM	#4
gmcfixer Join Date: December 20 2005 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 5,947	Well guys, we watched that yesterday too. And before they started I said that they would hit at the same time (or close enough) because of simple physics. Think of it this way, what causes a bullet to drop. One thing and one thing only, gravity. When we adjust our scopes for bullet drop we say that it drops "X" amount at a distance of say 100 yards. A physics minded person will tell you that we are actually adjusting for the amount of distance traveled after dropping a certain amount. Now I realize that sounds crazy but that is what actually happens and it important to understand in this case because after the bullet leaves the barrel the only thing that practically effects it as far as drop is gravity. Everything else effects the forward movement. Keep in mind this is assuming everything else is equal between the dropped bullet and the fired bullet, that the barrel is parrallel to the earth and that the timing of the firing and the drop are prefect. Make sense? Dave Z Black holes are when God divided by zero

10-25-2009, 08:02 PM	#5
Sir Knight Join Date: May 25 2001 Location: Hills of PA Posts: 17,396	Gravity pulls everything down at the same rate. So, unless a bullet was fired upward and working against gravity briefly, it will hit the ground at the same time as a dropped bullet. - - - "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance. To ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. When firearms go, all goes. We need them every hour. They deserve a place of honor with all that is good." — President George Washington. "The great body of our citizens shoot less as times goes on. We should encourage firearms practice among schoolchildren, and indeed among all, by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace. The first step ... in the direction of preparation to avert war if possible, and to be fit for war if it should come -- is to teach our citizens to shoot!" — President Theodore Roosevelt. "No president should fear public scrutiny of his program, for from that scrutiny comes understanding and from that understanding come support or opposition. Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive." -- President John F. Kennedy. "You won't get gun control by disarming law-abiding citizens. There's only one way to get real gun control: disarm the thugs and the criminals, lock them up, and if you don't actually throw away the key, at least lose it for a long time. It's a nasty truth, but as long as there are guns, the individual that wants a gun for a crime is going to have one and going to get it. The only person who’s going to be penalized [with gun control] and have difficulty is the law-abiding citizen, who then cannot have [it] if he wants protection." -- President Ronald Reagan.

10-26-2009, 01:52 AM	#6
Zen900 Join Date: October 19 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,499	Dumb question: now suppose the same test is done only this time there is twice as much propellant in the case of the bullet. Wouldn't it travel farther? If so does it stay in the air longer? Keep in mind I'm not disputing Newton. I'm sure he won a lot of bets with his theory.

10-26-2009, 07:45 AM	#8
Sir Knight Join Date: May 25 2001 Location: Hills of PA Posts: 17,396	Actually, no. The time in the air will be the same because, as you said, gravity is the constant and will pull the bullet down at the same rate but the distance traveled will be greater. - - - "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance. To ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference. When firearms go, all goes. We need them every hour. They deserve a place of honor with all that is good." — President George Washington. "The great body of our citizens shoot less as times goes on. We should encourage firearms practice among schoolchildren, and indeed among all, by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace. The first step ... in the direction of preparation to avert war if possible, and to be fit for war if it should come -- is to teach our citizens to shoot!" — President Theodore Roosevelt. "No president should fear public scrutiny of his program, for from that scrutiny comes understanding and from that understanding come support or opposition. Without debate, without criticism, no administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive." -- President John F. Kennedy. "You won't get gun control by disarming law-abiding citizens. There's only one way to get real gun control: disarm the thugs and the criminals, lock them up, and if you don't actually throw away the key, at least lose it for a long time. It's a nasty truth, but as long as there are guns, the individual that wants a gun for a crime is going to have one and going to get it. The only person who’s going to be penalized [with gun control] and have difficulty is the law-abiding citizen, who then cannot have [it] if he wants protection." -- President Ronald Reagan.

10-26-2009, 09:47 AM	#9
gmcfixer Join Date: December 20 2005 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 5,947	I have to agree with Alan, the bullets flight time will not change as long as everything else remains constant. The flight time is the same but the distance is increase because it is able to fly further in the same amount of time. Dave Z Black holes are when God divided by zero

10-26-2009, 03:11 PM	#10
Popeye Join Date: July 12 2003 Location: Sacramento area, CA Posts: 63,104	I said it wrong. But you get my point. The difference between a Socialist and a Communist is that the Socialist doesn't have all the guns yet.

10-27-2009, 09:35 AM	#12
Stevejet Join Date: October 10 2007 Location: Fountain Valley, CA. Posts: 2,748	You're all a bunch of mad scientists if you ask me. This discussion reminds me of the "witch trial" in Monty Python's Holy Grail where the villagers argue thru deductive logic, led by the village genius, wether the suspect, adorned with a carrot tied to her face as a nose, should be subjected to the dunking pond to determine if she is a duck, a piece of wood, little tiny, teeny rocks or a witch, depending on if she floats!

10-27-2009, 10:32 AM	#13
gmcfixer Join Date: December 20 2005 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 5,947	I see no connection between the two, have a nice day Dave Z Black holes are when God divided by zero

10-27-2009, 10:55 AM	#14
BigSwede Join Date: December 9 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 328	The extra .32 milliseconds might have been due to curvature of the earth...just a little farther and you're in orbit! I think that all good, right thinking people in this country are sick and tired of being told that all good, right thinking people in this country are fed up with being told that all good, right thinking people in this country are fed up with being sick and tired. I'm certainly not, and I'm sick and tired of being told that I am.

10-27-2009, 12:20 PM	#15
Seamaster Join Date: October 23 2005 Location: Vermont Posts: 3,433	I would think if performed in a vacuum, the times would be alot closer, also think the curvature of the earth adds a little bit also. Pretty dang cool experiment anyway. " Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." Daniel Webster U.S. Senator fron NY(1850)

10-28-2009, 03:55 AM	#16
Zen900 Join Date: October 19 2006 Location: SC Posts: 1,499	I finally see now. Gravity is the constant. I remember being absolutely astounded when I first heard that theory. I have 60 hours of college math but never understood a thing they taught me. I usually cheated on the tests. I was better at hiding formulas than calculating math.

11-05-2009, 09:36 PM	#17
Urzandowski Join Date: October 8 2005 Location: Southern Orygun Posts: 1,308	Another force acting on the bullet is drag. I assume the Myth Busters are in San Francisco. San Fran is perty much sea level, where the air is the thickest. Im wondering if youd get the same results if the bullet were fired at say 16,000 feet. But then at 16,000 feet the drag and gravity would be a constant on both bullets. Ok nevermind. Ow this thread makes my brain hurt.

11-12-2009, 12:52 AM	#19
shoey Join Date: February 18 2005 Location: WI Posts: 3,383	Thye slight difference is indeed due to air resistance. The law only holds true in a vaccum...but it is cool....we tested it in high school by flicking a penny off a table and dropping one at the same time.....if coordination was right it was close shoey "If ignorance is bliss, why are there so many unhappy people in this world?" "Don't believe everything you think." "I reject your reality and substitute my own." -Adam Savage "Cooks are either alcoholics or drug addicts, and sometimes both." -Anthony Bourdain (paraphrase )

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