Question

The pilots flying bombers at low altitudes during the 1st and 2nd World Wars were capable of seeing by looking straight down the released bombs as the bombs hit the targets. Explain how this was possible

Answer 1

The only thing I can think of is that they released the bomb at the same velocity the plane is traveling, and at an angle such that the plane and bomb caught up to each other when the bomb hit the target. Thoughts?

Answer 2

I don't know what the original post is talking about, but it is possible to see the bomb as dropping straight down as the bombers flew over their targets. This is because the bombs have the same velocity as the bomber planes upon release. By newton's first law, or 2nd law if you prefer, since there is no force in the horizontal direction, the bombs will continue in that direction with the same speed. Hence, if you were on the plane you would observe that the bombs are dropping straight down, but on the ground you can see it travelling in a parabolic motion.

Answer 3

Thank you that helps!