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Posted: 5/18/2001 4:11:47 PM EDT
Okay, after reading something on here a month or two ago about this, it got me thinking about my science classes a couple years ago...

That there is an "equal and opposite reaction" to everything.

Now, if I'm not wrong, or confused here, wouldn't it be if you fired a gun that has, say 1000 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle of your firearm, wouldn't you be hit with 1000 foot-pounds of energy also?


Anyone wanna explain??
Link Posted: 5/18/2001 4:18:51 PM EDT
[#1]
no, i dont think so, but acually, i understand about 20% of a rounds energy moves the projectile, the rest goes through you. but keep in mind that energy goes through the rilfe and stock first.
Link Posted: 5/18/2001 6:46:29 PM EDT
[#2]
The *momentum* of the bullet + powder gases is balanced by the recoil momentum of the gun.  

Momentum is mass * velocity, or m*v.

Kinetic Energy is m*v*v/2.  

So if the mass of the gun is, say, about 100 times larger than that of the bullet (think 500 grain 45-70 in a lever action carbine), then the bullet carries away 100 times more kinetic energy than the rifle.

Plug and chug.
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