Submitted by Eastern-Ability8411 t3_11eu6f6 in askscience
pptengineer t1_jahlpsl wrote
Hi! This is my field. As phrased, my intuition is a spinning bullet has slightly more drag IF both projectiles had identical body dynamics. IRL though, the non spinning bullet is unstable and would immediately tumble due to tipoffs and would experience much higher drag. Fun fact, there are smooth bore guns out there for fin stabilized projectiles.
murderedbyaname t1_jahonpn wrote
Apologies if already addressed, but does the weight of the projectile matter? Or does speed negate it?
rp708 t1_jahrnpq wrote
Weight does not affect drag force, but it does have effects on the bullet’s flight path. Only the bullet geometry and the medium it flies through should affect the drag I believe.
anethma t1_jahuo80 wrote
No though you will have the same force acting on a heavier bullet, so the drag will affect the bullet less. That is why heavier bullets have higher ballistic coefficients.
murderedbyaname t1_jahvrcm wrote
Sounds counterintuitive but makes perfect sense, thank you. It's why downhill skiers are faster when they weigh more.
[deleted] t1_jahu3nr wrote
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[deleted] t1_jai7axc wrote
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