Final answer:
The question addresses firearm safety rules and the physics of ballistics, focusing on how gun sights are adjusted for gravity and the effects of muzzle velocity and air resistance on a bullet's trajectory.
Step-by-step explanation:
Firearm Safety and Ballistics
The questions posed refer to firearm safety principles and the physics of ballistics. The three key firearm safety rules mentioned are knowing your target and what lies beyond it, treating every firearm as if it were loaded, and keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. Furthermore, the scenario involving a gun sight adjustment and the effect of muzzle velocity on bullet trajectory delves into the physics topics of projectile motion and Newton's laws of motion.
Adjustment of Gun Sights and Projectile Motion
Gun sights are calibrated to compensate for the effect of gravity on a projectile. When a gun with a muzzle velocity of 275 m/s is sighted to hit targets at a distance of 100.0 m, if aimed at a target 150.0 m away, the bullet will hit lower than intended. A higher muzzle velocity will result in a flatter trajectory over the same distance, reducing the bullet drop due to gravity. Additionally, air resistance slows the bullet, further influencing its trajectory.
The Effect of Muzzle Velocity and Air Resistance
An increase in muzzle velocity would generally lead to a bullet traveling farther before dropping to the same vertical extent, because of its shorter time in the air, leading to less time for gravity to act upon it. Conversely, air resistance will counteract the bullet's motion, causing it to decelerate. As speed increases, air resistance has a greater effect on the bullet, making high-velocity projectiles more sensitive to these forces.