Question

A bullet fires from a rifle at 78 m/s. What is missing to fully describe the bullet's motion?

a) Initial velocity
b) Time of flight
c) Mass of the bullet
d) Direction of firing

Answer 1

The missing information needed to fully describe the bullet's motion is the direction of firing.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to fully describe the bullet's motion, the missing information is the direction of firing. The initial velocity provided in the question indicates the speed at which the bullet is fired, but it does not specify the direction in which it is fired. Knowing the direction is crucial in understanding the entire motion of the bullet.

For example, if the bullet is fired horizontally, it will continue to travel horizontally with a constant speed until influenced by external factors such as gravity or air resistance. On the other hand, if the bullet is fired at an angle, it will follow a projectile motion trajectory with both horizontal and vertical components of motion.

In summary, the direction of firing is the missing component needed to fully describe the bullet's motion.