1. What is Bullet Energy at Distance?

This calculator determines the kinetic energy of a bullet at a specified distance from the muzzle, accounting for air resistance. The energy decreases with distance due to drag forces acting on the bullet.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these equations:

Where:

• \( E \) — Kinetic energy (Joules)
• \( m \) — Bullet mass (kg)
• \( v_d \) — Velocity at distance (m/s)
• \( v_0 \) — Muzzle velocity (m/s)
• \( k \) — Drag coefficient (1/m)
• \( d \) — Distance from muzzle (m)

Explanation: The velocity decreases exponentially with distance due to air resistance, and energy is proportional to the square of velocity.

3. Importance of Energy Calculation

Details: Understanding bullet energy at different ranges is crucial for ballistics analysis, hunting regulations, and terminal performance estimation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bullet mass in kg, velocities in m/s, drag coefficient (typically 0.0001 to 0.001 for bullets), and distance in meters. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I find the drag coefficient for my bullet?
A: Drag coefficients are often provided by bullet manufacturers or can be estimated from ballistic tables based on bullet shape and caliber.

Q2: Why does energy decrease with distance?
A: Air resistance (drag) continuously slows the bullet, reducing its velocity and thus its kinetic energy.

Q3: What's a typical drag coefficient for rifle bullets?
A: Common rifle bullets typically have drag coefficients between 0.0002 and 0.0005 1/m, depending on design and velocity.

Q4: Does this account for wind or elevation changes?
A: No, this is a simplified model that only accounts for distance-based velocity decay due to air resistance.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate for most purposes, but actual field results may vary due to environmental factors and bullet-specific characteristics.