Re: [Phys-l] Killed by a Falling Bullet? - Myth busters.

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>]

[Brian]
> >I can also say,   bullets are usually decreasing in speed
> >   when they hit their target.  The Myth busters were  perplexed that a
> bullet fired high from  a mile away
> > was lethal. I assert that that particular bullet was  decelerating too.
> >
> > Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!

 On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 at 20:21:51 -0500 Herb responded
in this way:,

> Are you SURE that the bullet was decelerating???
>
> It might have been decelerating in the horizontal direction because of
> air resistance.....
> But it was certainly accelerating in the downward direction for the
> latter portion of its  descent until it reached a terminal downward velocity.
>
> Herb

It is a logical inference that goes like this:
1) bullets tumble at about 100 mph at their terminal velocity.
2) At terminal velocity, a bullet is not decelerating.
3) A bullet at its terminal velocity is not lethal.
4)When fired, bullets move at lethal velocity which can be
 a large fraction to multiples of c.
5) Bullets decelerate from muzzle velocity to terminal velocity

THEREFORE
A lethal bullet is decelerating.


Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!