Two people are on two trains moving at exactly 80mph in opposit directions from each other, they fire a gun at each other. Will their bullets hit the oppsite?
2006-07-13 09:28:19 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Most modern weapons fire bullets near to the speed of sound so yes. if they were pointed at each other they would hit their targets.
2006-07-13 09:36:51 · answer #1 · answered by 'Dr Greene' 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am not going to calculate it due to the number of factors involved and the lack of predifined factor values,
what i will do is point out the factors that would be involved,
but first i would like to point out that the curvature of the earth would have very little effect in this situation,
factors:
1. how much force will the gun apply to the round
2. how much does the round weight.
==> from these 2 you can calculate the initial velocity.
knowing the initial velocity we may now take into consideration the resistance from the surrounding air.
(also noting the direction the wind is blowing).
taking these factors we can find how far the bullet will travel from the initial position of the train when the gun was fired.
(the most effective distance calculated using parabalic curves in geometry,
if we also work out the time the bullet will take to reach this distance we can find an average velocity of its overall travel.
the last 2 factors involved are of the most important.
1. how far apart where the trains when the gun was fired.
2. multiply the time the bullet takes before hitting the ground to the speed of the train to find the distance the second train has traveled from its initial position.
the addition of the initial seperation + the extra distance the second train must be less than the distance the bullet can travel.
my recomondation is dont waste your bullet unless you fired when the trains where less than a meter apart
2006-07-13 10:21:32 · answer #2 · answered by kevin h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bullets have the possibility of hitting their targets, assuming that their shooter takes into account the ballistic properties over time, and that they fire in a timely manner. But since you only mentioned speed in your original problem, then I must assume that this is your only concern.
The bullets will need to travel faster than about 235 feet per second (which is 160 miles per hour) *IF* the two shooters fire their rounds exactly as the trains pass one another. Handgun muzzle velocity varies widely, but they all easily surpass 235 fps.
The longer they wait to fire their rounds, the faster the bullets must travel to reach their target. The bullet's required speed is a function of the distance upon shooting, plus the 235 fps separation speed. To be more realistic, you should also take into account the round's drop rate over the time involved. But because you did not provide a height for the round to be fired, nor an angle restriction, I cannot give you any exact numbers or formulae.
2006-07-13 10:06:17 · answer #3 · answered by stellarfirefly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends when the bullets are fired...as long as they are in range of the gun. It also depends on the gun that you are using...but I would say assuming the two trains are within an appropriate distance most bullets travel faster than 160 mph, yes.
2006-07-13 10:22:00 · answer #4 · answered by Bing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you mean the other person? then it depends on the speed of the bullet. if the bullets are faster than the speed of the train then yes. also you have to consider that the bullets are projectiles--they are affected by gravity. so if the bullets fall on to the ground before they hit the other person then no, even if the bullets are faster than the trains.
2006-07-13 09:34:26 · answer #5 · answered by paper_due_tomorrow 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the muzzle velocity of the weapons. They would both have to eject the bullet at a speed greater than 160 mph - most 'high velocity' rifles will accomplish this.
2006-07-13 09:33:19 · answer #6 · answered by rp804110 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the magnitude of the horizontal component of the speed vector of the gunshot. If it's >160mph, then yes. If not, the bullets cannot reach the other train.
2006-07-13 09:32:02 · answer #7 · answered by bequalming 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, because the windows would probably be down, youre going 80mph (i can do that with my car), the weight of the bullets and the velocity of their travels. and it would be a waste of ammo. think of the physics.
2006-07-13 09:31:50 · answer #8 · answered by jamz 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the time they triggered their weapons. If the trains are in different railroads they will hardly hit each other.
2006-07-13 09:57:34 · answer #9 · answered by Ramon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, yes, if the bullets are traveling over 160mph after being fired, which they should be.
2006-07-13 09:32:19 · answer #10 · answered by M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋