What has a stronger resistance, gravity or wind?

Question

Will a bullet slow down faster if shot straight up in the air or if shot against a 100mph wind blast?

Answer 1

100 mph = 100 X 1760 X 3 / 3600 = 1760 / 12 = 146.6666 ft/s

We have no data to calculate the deceleration developed by this wind on the bullet surface but can reason as below:

All the wind speed will not transfer as friction and hence we can say the bullet fired straight up (and in this case we are not considering the air resistance) will stop first.

The bullet is actually shaped aerodynamically and hence is designed to minimise the air resistance! Gravity, on the other hand, is shape independent.

So, all the more reason to support gravity as the better braking force in this case.

Answer 2

Perspective can play a BIG part of how you answer this question...
,,,is the gun firing the bullet, aimed at you?

Hmmm, NOW from this perspective - I think everyone can figure out the "correct" answer and that is:

GRAVITY wins over the Resistance of 100 mph wind (at least when using earth bound measurements)

IF it was pointed at us I hope I am far enough, the bullet 'grain' load is light, and the trigger is lousy AND doesn't get lucky!!

BUT, if you really, REALLY want a scientific answer, I could factor in things like: altitude of each bullet being fired; effect the terrain could have on the beaten path of the bullet fired against the wind; terminal velocity; strength of the gravitational effect; air-density; and all that other hubba-bubba physics stuff - If only I wasn't causing myself to fall asleep already just typing this.

WHATASEC! That would be a great question. "How many pages of meaningless to most scientific physics information would it take to put a typical college student in a COMA?

Answer 3

Really depends on the bullet and the air the bullet is shot through.
If its a really light bullet with a very high co-efficient of friction, then the wind would have greater resistance. But if its a very heavy bullet with a low co-efficient of friction, then gravity would.

Answer 4

It really depends on the aerodynamics of the bullet