Science Something amazing to tell you concerning physics and motion

Jenson71 · 06-04-2009, 10:15 AM

This blows my mind.

Okay, say you have two ball bearings. You hold one in your hand and drop it. The other you put in a gun, point it straight forward, as level as the one in your hand, and pull the trigger, sending it hundreds of yards.

Which one lands first?

The one dropped in your hand right? RIGHT!?!?

No, actually they both hit the ground at the same time.

This is because the vertical component of motion is the same for both objects. They both fall vertically the same distance at about 10 meters per second squared (gravity, actually more like 9.8).

But Jenson, Jenson! What about the horizontal component of the gun-fired ball bearing? Actually, when air resistance is small enough to ignore as it is in this case (being that the bearings are exactly alike), the horizontal and vertical components of a projectile's velocity are completely independent of one another.

And, in this experiment, the gun-fired bearing is constantly falling from the moment it is fired. Yes, it looks like it is holding up in a straight line, but, it's actually falling and it's just hard to see with our eyes. And again, it is falling at exactly the same speed as the ball bearing you released in your hand -- the speed of gravity.

Post more cool science things in this thread.

I think I will later post Aristotle vs. Galileo and gravity, for a little history spin on science.

Mr. Plow · 06-04-2009, 10:17 AM

Don't spit into the wind.

Chiefs=Champions · 06-04-2009, 10:20 AM

Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd!!!

Thats pretty interesting though...

**Buehler445** · 06-04-2009, 10:21 AM

You didn't know that? I learned that shit in my HS physics class. -9.8 m/s2 is stuck in my head for eternity.

WTF are they teaching you?
Posted via Mobile Device

damaticous · 06-04-2009, 10:22 AM

Actually, from what I remember, the ball bearing in your hand would hit the ground first.

when you fire a bullet from a gun the bullet tends to arch upward a bit, so it is actually falling at a different height from the one that is dropped.

I could be wrong, but I remember reading that or seeing it on TV or something.

Otherwise, yes, they'd hit the ground at the same time.

Jenson71 · 06-04-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

You didn't know that? I learned that shit in my HS physics class. -9.8 m/s2 is stuck in my head for eternity.

WTF are they teaching you?

Everything I was taught in high school physics I also forgot the very same day. I was a horrible, horrible high school student and I feel bad about it these days.

Jenson71 · 06-04-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damaticous

Actually, from what I remember, the ball bearing in your hand would hit the ground first.

when you fire a bullet from a gun the bullet tends to arch upward a bit, so it is actually falling at a different height from the one that is dropped.

I could be wrong, but I remember reading that or seeing it on TV or something.

Otherwise, yes, they'd hit the ground at the same time.

Oh, ah... we're discussing a perfect gun that does not send a bullet upward at all.

But yeah, that would screw it up.

**Buck** · 06-04-2009, 10:24 AM

3 friends go out to eat.

They get the bill and it is $25, but they don't really look at it too close.

They each give the waiter a $10 bill.

The Waiter decides since he cannot split $5 evenly among 3 people he decides to pocket $2, meaning the group paid a total of $27.

So the group paid $27 ($9 each), and he has $2 in his pocket, equaling $29.

What happened to the other dollar?

damaticous · 06-04-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenson71

Oh, ah... we're discussing a perfect gun that does not send a bullet upward at all.

But yeah, that would screw it up.

O I C

T-post Tom · 06-04-2009, 10:25 AM

So if you're travelling at the speed of light in a spacecraft... and turn the headlights on...what happens? Answer me that Mr. Wisenheimer.

damaticous · 06-04-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MediaCenterJunkie

3 friends go out to eat.

They get the bill and it is $25, but they don't really look at it too close.

They each give the waiter a $10 bill.

The Waiter decides since he cannot split $5 evenly among 3 people he decides to pocket $2, meaning the group paid a total of $27.

So the group paid $27 ($9 each), and he has $2 in his pocket, equaling $29.

What happened to the other dollar?

Taxes or tip.

Jenson71 · 06-04-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

So if you're travelling at the speed of light in a spacecraft... and turn the headlights on...what happens? Answer me that Mr. Wisenheimer.

We haven't gotten that far yet.

blaise · 06-04-2009, 10:27 AM

Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads, and I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.

**notorious** · 06-04-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenson71

Oh, ah... we're discussing a perfect gun that does not send a bullet upward at all.

But yeah, that would screw it up.

I thought this at first, but as the bullet spins, it will create pressure differences (high or Low which creates lift) equal to all sides, which will cancel out any lift/gravity change. Only outside forces, such as updrafts and downdrafts will effect it's decent rate.

**notorious** · 06-04-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaise

Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads, and I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.

Nice Fletch quote.

06-04-2009, 10:15 AM
Jenson71 fides quaerens intellectum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: United States Casino cash: $8330900	Something amazing to tell you concerning physics and motion This blows my mind. Okay, say you have two ball bearings. You hold one in your hand and drop it. The other you put in a gun, point it straight forward, as level as the one in your hand, and pull the trigger, sending it hundreds of yards. Which one lands first? The one dropped in your hand right? RIGHT!?!? No, actually they both hit the ground at the same time. This is because the vertical component of motion is the same for both objects. They both fall vertically the same distance at about 10 meters per second squared (gravity, actually more like 9.8). But Jenson, Jenson! What about the horizontal component of the gun-fired ball bearing? Actually, when air resistance is small enough to ignore as it is in this case (being that the bearings are exactly alike), the horizontal and vertical components of a projectile's velocity are completely independent of one another. And, in this experiment, the gun-fired bearing is constantly falling from the moment it is fired. Yes, it looks like it is holding up in a straight line, but, it's actually falling and it's just hard to see with our eyes. And again, it is falling at exactly the same speed as the ball bearing you released in your hand -- the speed of gravity. Post more cool science things in this thread. I think I will later post Aristotle vs. Galileo and gravity, for a little history spin on science.
Posts: 15,986

06-04-2009, 10:17 AM	#2
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $-1342609	Don't spit into the wind.
Posts: 31,679

06-04-2009, 10:20 AM	#3
Chiefs=Champions Training Camp Hero Join Date: Oct 2006 Casino cash: $8044801	Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd!!! Thats pretty interesting though...
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06-04-2009, 10:21 AM	#4
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $-1375266	You didn't know that? I learned that shit in my HS physics class. -9.8 m/s2 is stuck in my head for eternity. WTF are they teaching you? Posted via Mobile Device
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06-04-2009, 10:22 AM	#5
damaticous lurker Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: home Casino cash: $9959900	Actually, from what I remember, the ball bearing in your hand would hit the ground first. when you fire a bullet from a gun the bullet tends to arch upward a bit, so it is actually falling at a different height from the one that is dropped. I could be wrong, but I remember reading that or seeing it on TV or something. Otherwise, yes, they'd hit the ground at the same time.
Posts: 1,358

06-04-2009, 10:24 AM	#8
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $6190295	3 friends go out to eat. They get the bill and it is $25, but they don't really look at it too close. They each give the waiter a $10 bill. The Waiter decides since he cannot split $5 evenly among 3 people he decides to pocket $2, meaning the group paid a total of $27. So the group paid $27 ($9 each), and he has $2 in his pocket, equaling $29. What happened to the other dollar?
Posts: 44,604

06-04-2009, 10:25 AM	#10
T-post Tom Busy in a Kohl's restroom Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $1917293	So if you're travelling at the speed of light in a spacecraft... and turn the headlights on...what happens? Answer me that Mr. Wisenheimer. __________________ You seem nice!
Posts: 22,278

06-04-2009, 10:27 AM	#13
blaise In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Plano, TX Casino cash: $9989900	Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads, and I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.
Posts: 22,189