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It was a mystery for years why a co-axially - clockwise (right-hand) - spinning bullet, fired horizontally, parallel to the surface of a calm body of water, veered off to the left (counter-clockwise) when it skipped across the water...
The enigma was finally resolved when it was realized that the clockwise spin was causing the back end of the bullet to move to the right, steering the front end of the bullet to the left, in the opposite direction of the co-axial spin.
This is an example of of how considerations about spin need be thoroughly thought out before any resolute conclusions may be reached. The issued missile appeared to be acting contrary to logic, whereas upon closer scrutinization, it was behaving as could be expected when all of the involved information was closely scrutinized.
Regards,
- Skipper (I mean, RP)
(George Berkeley, 1710) ... lay the beginning in a distinct explication of what is meant by thing, reality, existence: for in vain shall we dispute concerning the real existence of things, or pretend to any knowledge thereof, so long as we have not fixed the meaning of those words.
"All things come out of the one and the one out of all things." - Heraclitus "Reality is an illusion - albeit a persistent one." - Einstein "Particles give me a headache." - Ibid
"The enigma was finally resolved when it was realized that the clockwise spin was causing the back end of the bullet to move to the right, steering the front end of the bullet to the left, in the opposite direction of the co-axial spin."
Would the above have anything to do with the back end hitting the water first, where the spin would cause the bullet to veer left? Or is it observed that the bullet veers left in the air?
I would find the latter to be very hard to believe.
"The enigma was finally resolved when it was realized that the clockwise spin was causing the back end of the bullet to move to the right, steering the front end of the bullet to the left, in the opposite direction of the co-axial spin."
Would the above have anything to do with the back end hitting the water first, where the spin would cause the bullet to veer left? Or is it observed that the bullet veers left in the air?
I would find the latter to be very hard to believe.
____________________
Depending on the direction of the co-axial spin, many different kinds of bullets do veer to correspond with the (rifling) spin imparted on them: in the air. Compensation is made for this by adjustment of the sighting mechanism or optics, since the alteration of the bullet's path is consistent, once the projectile thrower is properly sighted in (for a given range), the impact point is consistent.
(P.S. You're right about the back end of the issued missile striking the water first; with corresponding results... )
Best regards,
- RP
(George Berkeley, 1710) ... lay the beginning in a distinct explication of what is meant by thing, reality, existence: for in vain shall we dispute concerning the real existence of things, or pretend to any knowledge thereof, so long as we have not fixed the meaning of those words.
"All things come out of the one and the one out of all things." - Heraclitus "Reality is an illusion - albeit a persistent one." - Einstein "Particles give me a headache." - Ibid
Very very interesting to me, RP. I have heard of adjustments made up and down, but never right and left with respect to bullets veering according to spin in the air.
After thinking about it, I'm guessing that the pressure of the air would have a similar effect as the water would to a lesser degree, is that the idea?
Very very interesting to me, RP. I have heard of adjustments made up and down, but never right and left with respect to bullets veering according to spin in the air.
After thinking about it, I'm guessing that the pressure of the air would have a similar effect as the water would to a lesser degree, is that the idea?
________________
You're right on target, Mr. Nobody.
_________________________
(George Berkeley, 1710) ... lay the beginning in a distinct explication of what is meant by thing, reality, existence: for in vain shall we dispute concerning the real existence of things, or pretend to any knowledge thereof, so long as we have not fixed the meaning of those words.
"All things come out of the one and the one out of all things." - Heraclitus "Reality is an illusion - albeit a persistent one." - Einstein "Particles give me a headache." - Ibid
Just one more thing if I may. Would the bullet spinning clockwise veer left if fired in outer space?
_____________________
Dear Nobody:
IMO, it may or not, in deep outer space, depending on whether the factor of angular momentum is functionally engaged.
On the other hand there is no atmosphere to allow for the co-axially spinning missile to purchase lateral or vertical traction.
Best regards,
- RP
(George Berkeley, 1710) ... lay the beginning in a distinct explication of what is meant by thing, reality, existence: for in vain shall we dispute concerning the real existence of things, or pretend to any knowledge thereof, so long as we have not fixed the meaning of those words.
"All things come out of the one and the one out of all things." - Heraclitus "Reality is an illusion - albeit a persistent one." - Einstein "Particles give me a headache." - Ibid
This is so interesting to me, RP, because Einstein's dismissal and reinstatement of aether is based on particulate motion and lack thereof which is related to my on thoughts on the matter. The relative motion dismissed would be irrelevant because the aether would follow particulate motion and in that sense remain still. The relative motion would only apply to two separate frames or bodies, not a moving body relative to aether to produce an observable effect.
Although it is a simple experiment, you opened my eyes to what I had thought wouldn't have that great an effect on a bullet. When you first said "skipped across the water" it was clear that it was due to the density of the water, but with the atmospheric pressure having that great an effect on the bullet I thought aetheric pressure would at least have some similar effect. Though, as per the above motion, the effect would be almost magical in that the bullet would veer in space - not due to observable angular momentum from an external force or atmospheric pressure - but from an essentially internal force proportionate to the motion of the bullet being recreated at a relative angle to the direction of motion due to the lack of motion of the aether. There would be no observable effect of any counterforce being applied because the aether would always follow all effects.