Question Detail
Question
A gun is held horizontally and fired. At the same time the bullet leaves the gun's barrel an identical bullet is dropped from the same height. Neglect air resistance. Which bullet will hit the ground with the greatest velocity?
Correct Answer
Option A is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
Both bullets hit the ground at the same time, but the fired bullet has a horizontal component of velocity in addition to the vertical component. Therefore, its overall speed (magnitude of velocity) will be greater.
Hint
Velocity is a vector; speed is its magnitude. The fired bullet has both horizontal and vertical velocity components.