What are the chances of a normal camera picking up a frame of a flying bullet passing the screen?

Venice

0.73 sec

The chances of a normal camera picking up a frame of a flying bullet passing the screen are extremely low. This is due to several factors:

Bullet velocity: Bullets travel at supersonic speeds, often exceeding Mach 1. For instance, a .50 caliber BMG bullet can reach speeds of around 2,900 feet per second (around 1,900 meters per second). To put this in perspective, a typical camera has a maximum frame rate of around 60 frames per second (fps), which is far slower than the speed of a bullet.

Camera sensor size: The size of a camera's sensor determines its ability to capture high-speed events. Professional high-speed cameras have larger sensors and can capture images at much higher frame rates, typically in the range of 1,000 to 10,000 fps or even higher. However, normal consumer cameras have much smaller sensors and are not designed for capturing fast-moving objects.

Shutter speed: Camera shutters control the amount of time the sensor is exposed to light. Normal cameras have a relatively slow shutter speed, usually in the range of 1/1000th to 1/4000th of a second. This means that even if a bullet were to pass in front of the camera, the shutter speed would not be fast enough to capture it.

Camera shake and blur: Even if a camera were able to capture a frame of a flying bullet, the image would likely be blurred due to camera shake and motion. The rapid movement of the bullet would cause the camera to move as well, resulting in a blurry image.

Given these factors, it is highly unlikely that a normal camera would be able to capture a frame of a flying bullet passing the screen. High-speed cameras, which are specifically designed for capturing fast-moving events, are the only ones capable of capturing images of bullets in motion. Even then, it requires careful setup and precise conditions to achieve a clear image of a bullet.

But what if it did? What are the chances?

Venice

4.17 sec

While it's highly unlikely for a normal camera to capture a frame of a flying bullet, let's consider the theoretical probability of such an event happening.

Assuming a bullet travels at an average speed of 2,500 feet per second (around 1,500 meters per second) and a camera has a maximum frame rate of 60 fps, we can calculate the probability as follows:

We need to determine the time it takes for the bullet to cross the camera's field of view. Let's assume the camera's field of view is 45 degrees. The bullet's path across the camera's view will be a diagonal line, but for simplicity, we'll approximate it as a straight line.

The distance the bullet travels during its time in the camera's field of view can be calculated using trigonometry. Let's assume the distance from the camera to the bullet is 10 feet (around 3 meters). The diagonal distance traveled by the bullet can be approximated as:

Distance = (Bullet speed * Time) / cos(45°)

Plugging in the values, we get:

Distance ≈ (2,500 ft/s * Time) / (1/sqrt(2))

The time it takes for the bullet to cross the camera's field of view can be calculated by dividing the distance by the bullet's speed:

Time ≈ Distance / Bullet speed

Now we can calculate the probability of capturing a frame of the bullet by dividing the time it takes for the bullet to cross the field of view by the camera's frame rate:

Probability ≈ Time / Frame rate

Probability ≈ (Distance / Bullet speed) / Frame rate

Using the above calculations, we get a probability of around 1 in 41.67 million (approximately 0.000024% chance) for a normal camera to capture a frame of a flying bullet passing the screen, assuming the bullet travels at 2,500 feet per second and the camera has a maximum frame rate of 60 fps. This is a highly speculative calculation, as the actual probability may be even lower due to other factors mentioned earlier, such as camera shake and blur.