I am starting a new topic for this because it had become too off topic on the "balanced vector" threads. Also I became too off topic on my own argument.
And I apologize for all that.
The question is that of why recoil occurs with a fired bullet that is free to move in relation to the breechface.
The common explanation calls upon a law of mechanics, that every force is accompanied by an opposite and equal force. Consequently, we can say that every action has an opposite and equal reaction.
There is no question that these laws are true.
This can be adapted to our application by making it more specific: Every bullet fired is accompanied by an equal and opposite movement of the breechface.
But now look:
Q - "Why does a gun have recoil?"
A - "Because every bullet fired is accompanied by an equal and opposite movement of the breechface."
Q - "Yes, I know they all have recoil, but why?"
A - "Because every bullet fired is accompanied by..."
Do you see the problem?
It gets even worse when we add the explanation that the breechface moves backward because the bullet moved forward. For some people it even becomes unbelievble.
I claim that we do not need to use Newton's 3rd law, that everything can be explained through simple laws that are already familiar through common experience.
Our test subject will be very simple. A barrel with a breechface permanently attached to one end. A powder charge is at the breechface end and a bullet sits right in front of the charge. The bullet is stuck in the barrel and will not move at first. We ignite the charge. For a couple of seconds, nothing happens. Inside the barrel, there is tremendous pressure behind the bullet.
The pressure produces a rearward force on the breechface. It also produces a forward force on the barrel through the stuck bullet. These forces are equal and being in opposite directions, they cancel. The net force on the barrel/breechface assembly is zero.
Suddenly the bullet breaks free. The pressure of the gas, still enormous, is still producing a force on the bullet's base, accelerating it down the barrel.The pressure is also still producing a force on the breechface, accelerating the barrel/breechface assembly backward.
I believe nothing else is required. I also claim that this simple explanation will also predict results that agree with reality.
And I apologize for all that.
The question is that of why recoil occurs with a fired bullet that is free to move in relation to the breechface.
The common explanation calls upon a law of mechanics, that every force is accompanied by an opposite and equal force. Consequently, we can say that every action has an opposite and equal reaction.
There is no question that these laws are true.
This can be adapted to our application by making it more specific: Every bullet fired is accompanied by an equal and opposite movement of the breechface.
But now look:
Q - "Why does a gun have recoil?"
A - "Because every bullet fired is accompanied by an equal and opposite movement of the breechface."
Q - "Yes, I know they all have recoil, but why?"
A - "Because every bullet fired is accompanied by..."
Do you see the problem?
It gets even worse when we add the explanation that the breechface moves backward because the bullet moved forward. For some people it even becomes unbelievble.
I claim that we do not need to use Newton's 3rd law, that everything can be explained through simple laws that are already familiar through common experience.
Our test subject will be very simple. A barrel with a breechface permanently attached to one end. A powder charge is at the breechface end and a bullet sits right in front of the charge. The bullet is stuck in the barrel and will not move at first. We ignite the charge. For a couple of seconds, nothing happens. Inside the barrel, there is tremendous pressure behind the bullet.
The pressure produces a rearward force on the breechface. It also produces a forward force on the barrel through the stuck bullet. These forces are equal and being in opposite directions, they cancel. The net force on the barrel/breechface assembly is zero.
Suddenly the bullet breaks free. The pressure of the gas, still enormous, is still producing a force on the bullet's base, accelerating it down the barrel.The pressure is also still producing a force on the breechface, accelerating the barrel/breechface assembly backward.
I believe nothing else is required. I also claim that this simple explanation will also predict results that agree with reality.