Brain Teasers
Cannon Duel
Two identical cannons are aimed at each other, one from the top of a cliff and the other from the ground below. They fire their cannons simultaneously at exactly the same speeds. Assuming they are in range of each other and ignoring wind resistance for a moment, will the cannon balls hit each other or miss?
Answer
They will hit each other.The cannon balls start out in a straight line towards each other, but then each ball is pulled off this line by the force of gravity. However, each ball will fall from this line of fire by the same amount as the other, and so a collision is inevitable. Inevitable, as noted, unless we take wind resistance or the cannons are out of range of each other.
Hide Answer Show Answer
What Next?
View a Similar Brain Teaser...
If you become a registered user you can vote on this brain teaser, keep track of which ones you have seen, and even make your own.
Solve a Puzzle
Comments hidden to avoid spoilers.
Follow Braingle!