Re: O/T for you science buffs

Posted by Steve - IN on November 07, 2003 at 15:06:52 from (12.222.30.13):

In Reply to: O/T for you science buffs posted by Jonathan on November 07, 2003 at 08:40:49:

Take away that guy's teaching license. The powder charge exerts far more force than gravity. If that weren't the case -- the round would never leave the end of a vertical rifle barrel.

Somebody has never read about Galileo dropping balls off the tower of Pisa or Isaac Newton sitting under the apple tree -- and hasn't learned some basics of physics. Gravity works at a constant rate of acceleration, with specific gravity or mass and wind resistance being the only variables at altitudes under ~ 6 miles. A falling body accelerates at 32 ft/sec per second, or slower with wind resistance and lower mass.

Knowing that, we can do the experiment by writing on a napkin. Take your standard issue M16 rifle over to Iraq and fire it straight up at Saddam on a magic carpet. The GI 55 gram FMJ round leaves the tube traveling at 3240 feet per second or 2209 miles per hour with about 1200 ft/lb's of energy at the muzzle and 180 ft/lb's of energy at 3000 feet. As we've missed Saddam so far, the round travels a little under 4485 ft up (180 ft/lbs of energy on 55 grams at 3000 feet spec less wind resistance) before it loses all energy - literally stops for an instant - and then becomes exactly same kind of thing that Galileo dropped from the leaning tower in Pisa. From 0 feet per second at its peak, gravity makes it accelerates at Newton's 32 ft/sec per second until acceleration is neutralized by wind resistance. It works out to a maximum speed of about 307 feet per second, or 210 miles per hour.

Also, think of it backwards. If this "teacher" were right about the bullet - a piece of hale dropped from a cloud at 8000 feet, even with its lower mass, would still hit your head at something over 1,000 mph - and you'd see dead bodies on the sidewalk every time a hale storm rolled through.

Follow Ups:

Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: Re: O/T for you science buffs Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]