A bullet is fired horizontally from a rifle at a distant target. Ignoring the effect of air resistance, what is the horizontal and vertical acceleration of the bullet?
Correct answer: B. Horizontal, 0 Vertical, 9.8 ms-2
- A. Horizontal, 9.8 ms-2 Vertical, 9.8 ms-2
- B. Horizontal, 0 Vertical, 9.8 ms-2
- C. Horizontal, 9.8 ms-2 Vertical, 0 ms-2
- D. Horizontal, 0 Vertical, 0
Explanation
In projectile motion, when a bullet is fired horizontally, the only force acting on it after being fired is gravity, which causes a vertical acceleration of 9.8 ms-2. There is no horizontal acceleration because, in the absence of air resistance, no force acts in the horizontal direction after the bullet leaves the rifle. Therefore, the correct answer is Option B: Horizontal, 0 Vertical, 9.8 ms-2. Options A and C incorrectly assign horizontal acceleration, and Option D incorrectly suggests zero vertical acceleration.
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