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Physics 211, Quiz 5A

Question 1:

Bill and Ted both shoot rifles at the side of a barn. Each rifle fires a bullet with speed v = 300 m/s. Bill and Ted stand next to each other, at the same distance from the barn.

Bill aims his rifle horizontally, but Ted aims his at 10 degrees above horizontal (at the second story of the barn. They fire simultaneously.

Which bullet reaches the barn first? Explain.

  Answer: Both Bill and Ted are at the same horizontal distance 
          from the barn.  

          Bill's bullet has horizontal speed     300 m/s.

          Ted's bullet has horizontal speed  (300 m/s) * cos(10 degrees)

                                          =      295 m/s

          Since Bill's bullet has a faster horizontal speed, it
          reaches the barn first.


Creative Commons License Copyright © Michael Richmond. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.