Originally Posted by Jordan Smith

I'm sorry, but it's not. There is no force counteracting gravity when the bullet leaves the muzzle (again, neglecting more advanced aerodynamic factors like aerodynamic jump, etc). There is no energy imparted in the upward trajectory that counteracts gravity. Energy is a scalar quantity without direction, and it certainly can't be added to forces to obtain a net effect using vector addition. The results you're describing are correct, but the physical concepts you're using are not.



Jordan

I had to go back through my earlier statements and realized I did state the bullet has an upward force, which is incorrect. The bullet has momentum, which is a vectored quantity possessing both mass and direction.

With regards to your statement about accelerating downward applying to the general case, regardless of which the muzzle is pointed, I agree. I was referring to my example.

David