if a plane drops a bomb, does the bomb fall straight down, or behind or forward?
forward
When a plane drops a bomb, the bomb does not fall straight down immediately. It follows a trajectory known as a bomb's ballistic path, which is influenced by several factors.
To understand why a bomb doesn't fall straight down, let's consider some key factors at play:
1. Forward Velocity: The bomb inherits the forward velocity of the plane. This means that as the bomb is released, it continues to move forward with the same speed as the aircraft.
2. Air Resistance: The bomb experiences air resistance as it travels through the air. This resistance varies depending on the bomb's shape, size, and weight. Air resistance slows down the bomb's horizontal speed.
3. Gravity: Gravity affects the bomb's vertical motion. It pulls the bomb downward, causing it to accelerate vertically.
As a result of these factors, the bomb follows a curved trajectory known as a parabolic or ballistic path. The exact trajectory depends on the initial speed of the aircraft, the angle at which the bomb is released, and other external factors.
Typically, when a plane drops a bomb, it does so with a downward pitch to increase the chances of hitting the intended target. As the bomb falls, it can have forward or backward momentum, depending on the aircraft's speed and angle of release. However, over a relatively short distance, the effect of forward or backward momentum is relatively small compared to the overall downward force due to gravity.