Fired Bullet Formula: Calculate Fallout Height

In summary, the bullet will fall at the same rate as if it were just dropped from a height of 2m. its y coordinate will be curved due to air drag.
  • #1
Zipher
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ok here's the thing. i fire a bullet at velocity (let's say static velocity, no acceleration) of 500m per sec. let's say that bullet's mass is 5g. what is the formula of its fallout?
i mean if i fire the bullet at height 2m straight forward, at what height would it be at 1000m after fired?
 
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  • #2
Zipher said:
ok here's the thing. i fire a bullet at velocity (let's say static velocity, no acceleration) of 500m per sec. let's say that bullet's mass is 5g. what is the formula of its fallout?
i mean if i fire the bullet at height 2m straight forward, at what height would it be at 1000m after fired?

If you assume that is is not decelerating in air (assume it's flying in a vacuum) then it will only accelerate towards the ground. You can find how long it would take it to fly 1km, and then calculate how far it fell in that amount of time. Use your kinematic equations, it's essentially 1/2 of a ballistic trajectory. It sounds to me like the bullet will need to be going faster or it might hit the ground before it reaches 1km, however.

EDIT: By the way, if the bullet is traveling in a vacuum, its mass does not matter. Interesting side note...
 
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  • #3
Theoretically, the bullet will fall at exactly the same rate as it would if you just dropped it. Its vertical acceleration due to gravity is independent of its horizontal motion.
 
  • #4
Zipher said:
ok here's the thing. i fire a bullet at velocity (let's say static velocity, no acceleration) of 500m per sec. let's say that bullet's mass is 5g. what is the formula of its fallout?
i mean if i fire the bullet at height 2m straight forward, at what height would it be at 1000m after fired?

[tex] y_f = y_i + v_{yi} t - {1 \over 2} g t^2 [/tex]
Setting the origin at the initial point and assuming that the initial fdirection is purely horizontal, this simplifies to [itex] y_f = - {1\over2} g t^2 [/itex].

In the x direction (again setting the origin at the initial position)
[tex] x_f = x_i + v_{x} t = v_{x} t [/tex]

Isolating t in the second formula and plugging in the first, one gets
[tex] y_f = -{1 \over 2} g { x_f^2 \over v_x^2 } [/tex]

Which shows the parabolic shape of the trajectory and its curvature. In that form, you simply have to plug in the value of the horizontal distance traveled and you get the value of the y coordinate.

Of course, this has nothing to do with real trajectories because of the large effect of air drag. (and if v_x is is made huge, one would have to worry about the curvature of th Earth at some point :-p )

(and if the initial velocity is really huge, at some point one would have to take into account that the force of gravity is not simply given by mg)
 
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  • #5
As Brewnog said, it will take the same amount of time to reach the ground as if it fell from 2m (~.6 s) so at a velocity of 500m/s the bullet will have a range of about 300m.

Just apply the basic equations of a falling body.

[tex] s = -\frac 1 2 g t^2 + V_0 t + h [/tex]

to get the time of flight, then use that time and the constant horizontal velocity to get the range.
 

FAQ: Fired Bullet Formula: Calculate Fallout Height

What is the Fired Bullet Formula?

The Fired Bullet Formula is a mathematical equation used to calculate the height at which a bullet will fall after being fired into the air. It takes into account the initial velocity of the bullet, the angle at which it was fired, and the acceleration due to gravity.

Why is it important to calculate the fallout height of a fired bullet?

Calculating the fallout height of a fired bullet is important for safety reasons. It can help determine how far a bullet can travel and where it may land, which can help prevent accidents and injuries.

What are the variables used in the Fired Bullet Formula?

The variables used in the Fired Bullet Formula include the initial velocity of the bullet (v), the angle at which it was fired (θ), the acceleration due to gravity (g), and the time the bullet spends in the air (t).

How accurate is the Fired Bullet Formula?

The accuracy of the Fired Bullet Formula depends on the accuracy of the initial velocity and angle measurements. It also assumes that there are no external forces acting on the bullet, such as wind resistance or air resistance.

Can the Fired Bullet Formula be used for all types of bullets?

The Fired Bullet Formula can be used for most standard bullets, but may not be accurate for specialized or non-uniform bullets. It is best to consult a firearm expert for specific calculations for different types of bullets.

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