You shoot a bullet at a tasty apple high up in a tree some feet in front of you, hoping to knock it loose so you can catch it and eat it.

In order to hit this apple, you should aim

A. directly at it.
B. above it.
C. below it.

The arrow will fall a little during flight. If the apple tree is only "some feet" away, aim for the apple.

They probably want B. for an answer, however.

B. above it.

above it

To answer this question, let's consider some basic physics principles.

When you shoot a bullet at a target, it follows a parabolic trajectory due to the force of gravity. This means that the bullet will travel in an arc and eventually fall back down to the ground.

Now, let's apply this knowledge to the scenario of shooting an apple in a tree.

A. If you aim directly at the apple, the bullet will take some time to reach the apple, and during that time, gravity will pull it downward. Consequently, the bullet will most likely hit below the apple, and you may miss the target altogether.

C. If you aim below the apple, the bullet will start its trajectory even lower, meaning it will fall even shorter of the apple. In this case, you are almost guaranteed to miss the apple.

B. The correct answer is to aim above the apple. By doing so, you compensate for the effect of gravity on the bullet's trajectory. The bullet will still follow a parabolic path, but now it will have a chance to intersect with the apple while it's falling due to gravity.

To determine the appropriate amount to aim above the apple, you would need to consider factors such as the distance to the apple, the muzzle velocity of the bullet, and the bullet's trajectory. This requires some knowledge of ballistics and marksmanship.

Note that shooting at a target in a tree can be dangerous and is generally discouraged for safety reasons. It's always best to exercise caution and find alternative ways to retrieve or enjoy the apple.