*** More corrections thanks to Darth Maker
Have any of you ever wondered how fast our blasters shoot? I have.
I've done a few calculations and here's what I've come up with. For arguments sake, I'm going to express my values in feet because we all tend to range test in feet. ie. "I get 90' flat."
First the variables and constants:
Gravity is a constant at 32.17 ft/s/s
On average, our blasters (primaries) get 90'
On average, I'd say most people fire level with their blasters at 5' from the ground.
(I will negate wind sheer and friction due to air.)
Using gravity, a, and the height at which we fire from, d, we can calculate how long it takes for our darts to hit the ground once fired.
**
d = vt + (1/2)at^2
d = 5' the distance from the barrel to the ground (assumed held parallel to the ground)
v = 0 as there is no vertical speed at the beginning
a = 32.2'/s^2
t = ? this is what we need to solve first; the time it takes for the dart to hit the ground
Therefore:
5 = (0)t + (1/2)(32.2'/s^2)t^2
5 = (1/2)(32.2'/s^2)t^2
5/(1/2) = (32.2'/s^2)t^2
10 = (32.2'/s^2)t^2
10/(32.2'/s^2) = t^2
5/(16.1'/s^2)=t^2
0.31s^2=t^2
***0.557=t
It takes ~0.56 seconds for the dart to hit the ground once it has been fired level from 5 feet off the ground.
Since we know the average distance covered during that time is 90 feet, we can calculate the average velocity of our darts.
90 feet/0.56 seconds = 160.71 ft/s
Therefore, our blasters fire stefans at an average velocity of 160.71 FEET PER SECOND!!!
Remember, these are average velocities from being fired, to landing. Your darts actually start to decelerate as soon as they leave the barrel. It's travelling at a much lower velocity by the time it hits the ground.
Here are some other calculations for other average distances:
If your blaster hits:
60' flat, it fires at 107.14 ft/s (pistols, NF, Scouts etc.)
80' flat, it fires at 142.86 ft/s (average)
100' flat, it fires at 178.57 ft/s (average)
110' flat, it fires at 196.43 ft/s (slightly above average)
120' flat, it fires at 214.29 ft/s (4B... Dumpster! LOL!)
130' flat, it fires at 232.14 ft/s (Doomsayer?)
140' flat, it fires at 250.00 ft/s (banned)
150' flat, it fires at 267.86 ft/s (banned)
160' flat, it fires at 285.71 ft/s (Singled and plugged 4B, banned)
170' flat, it fires at 303.57 ft/s (Singled Titan, banned)
180' flat, it fires at 321.43 ft/s (banned)
190' flat, it fires at 339.23 ft/s (banned)
200' flat, it fires at 357.14 ft/s!!! (Converted and singled Super Soakers, singled and plugged Titan. Obviously Banned)
To give some perspective, the average paintball speeds are 300 ft/s (capped at that speed for safety reasons). Airsoft 400 ft/s (capped for safety reasons).
Real guns 2500 ft/s - 4000ft/s (not capped because they are dumb).
Keep in mind that mass and density of the ammunition is key to how much energy will be expended on impact. A foam dart has considerably less mass then a paintball.
I hope this was informative to any of you who decided to read this.
Cheers!!!
**Thanks again, NerfDevil for the corrections.
***Thanks Darth maker for the minor correction that made these velocities a lot more reasonable.
Last edited by makeitgo on Sun May 22, 2011 9:57 am; edited 2 times in total