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Old September 23, 2012, 11:23 AM   #40
481
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Join Date: April 18, 2011
Posts: 540
Quote:
Originally Posted by MLeake:
AB, I think what 481 was saying that while energy goes up in direct proportion with an increase in mass, it goes up as the square of a velocity increase.

Twice the mass, twice the energy. Twice the velocity, four times the energy. So, if energy is the overriding concern, the answer will typically be to increase velocity, rather than mass.

Momentum goes up in linear fashion with both mass and energy.

The resistance of a medium to a bullet will be a function of energy. Look at what happens, for instance, when fast moving objects hit the water.

The momentum of the bullet is what will fight the drag from the medium. The slower, heavier bullet will have the advantage.
MLeake, you read me perfectly. You did a better job of explaining it than I did. Very nice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MLeake:
The resistance of a medium to a bullet will be a function of energy. Look at what happens, for instance, when fast moving objects hit the water.
Yes, that is how I understand the phenomena- the equation for quadratic drag (it's more about viscous drag at lower velocities, inertial drag at higher ones) being the basis of that understanding.
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