When a gun is fired, the bullet will reach maximum velocity at some point. Where is this point?
2006-09-29 15:47:49 · 9 answers · asked by Rob S4336 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
As soon as it leaves the barrel. As long as the bullet is still in the barrel, the explosion is contained forcing the bullet out of the barrel at an increasing acceleration. As soon as it exits, the force is diffused into the atmosphere and it begins to decelerate.
2006-09-29 15:52:46 · answer #1 · answered by Angela M 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maximum velocity is achieved immediately after the bullet exits the barrel. You could make the case that the expanding gases continue to push the bullet for another 1/2 inch or so, but that's insignificant.
As soon as the bullet leaves the barrel, it's losing velocity.
2006-09-30 12:26:12 · answer #2 · answered by Manevitch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air resistance is the force which will slow the bullet.
The expanding gases in the shell and barrel is the force which accelerates the bullet.
The point at which it starts to lose it's acceleration will be very close to the end of the barrel - at which time there will no longer be an accelleration force - just kinetic energy.
The point at which it starts to lose its velocity will depend on the mass of the bullet, its aerodynamics (how effective it is in minimizing the air friction) and the initial force which accelerated it.
In the real world, that's usually pretty far down range.
2006-09-29 18:29:07 · answer #3 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the net force on it is zero, it will have attained maximum velocity.
As long as the propelling force is greater than the air resistance, there will be a net forward force, resulting in the bullet continuing to accelerate (F=ma) in the forward direction.
Air resistance is dependant on the velocity, hence as the bullet gains speed, the drag force on it will increase until the point when drag force = propelling force.
Net force = Forward propelling force by gun - Air resistance
Hope this helps :)
2006-09-29 15:54:01 · answer #4 · answered by teddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it all depends on what caliber gun and wheter it is a slug or buck shot and the maximum velocity is appx. three inches from front of the barrell but once again for an exact i need to know the caliber of the gun what kind of ammunition and what the core lock of the shell is.
2006-09-29 15:53:41 · answer #5 · answered by reese121983 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It reaches when it is fired and only loses the velocity when it hits something since most people use it to shoot.
2006-09-29 15:50:25 · answer #6 · answered by t_nguyen62791 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. At the end of the muzzle. After that point it starts to decelerate due to air resistance.
2006-09-29 15:50:16 · answer #7 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe this is called "effective range"
It varies from one type of weapon to another.
2006-09-29 15:56:08 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In space, never. That is why gun battles in space are illegal.
2016-12-26 19:31:24 · answer #9 · answered by Truthlicity 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋