Slow moving projectiles from a hand-held weapon - how do they reach the target?How advanced or effective...
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Slow moving projectiles from a hand-held weapon - how do they reach the target?
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Slow moving projectiles from a hand-held weapon - how do they reach the target?
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$begingroup$
Human Earth explorers land on planet X. They are there to survey it. They are unaware that there is life on X until ...
The locals are very aggressive and fire on them from a distance. The thing is that the projectiles (which could be bullets or arrows or whatever) travel very slowly. So slowly that the humans can see them coming and dodge provided they are looking in the right direction.
If the humans are hit by a projectile then it penetrates them and can be fatal.
Question
How can I scientifically (and not magically) reconcile the slow movement of the projectiles with the fact that they can reach a distant target and be fatal?
Assumptions
The action takes place away from civilisation. You can imagine scrub-land with low hills.
The weapons are hand-held by aliens that can be considered similar to humans.
Once a projectile leaves the weapon it is not powered (i.e. it's a bullet, an arrow, etc.).
Any reasonable science-based assumptions may be made about the atmosphere or other physical characteristics of planet X.
The range of the weapons is roughly 50 metres. They must be able to work anywhere on the planet.
Humans must be capable of seeing and dodging an incoming projectile from 20 or so metres away before it reaches them. The projectiles must therefore be slow-moving and big enough to be seen.
science-based weapons
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Human Earth explorers land on planet X. They are there to survey it. They are unaware that there is life on X until ...
The locals are very aggressive and fire on them from a distance. The thing is that the projectiles (which could be bullets or arrows or whatever) travel very slowly. So slowly that the humans can see them coming and dodge provided they are looking in the right direction.
If the humans are hit by a projectile then it penetrates them and can be fatal.
Question
How can I scientifically (and not magically) reconcile the slow movement of the projectiles with the fact that they can reach a distant target and be fatal?
Assumptions
The action takes place away from civilisation. You can imagine scrub-land with low hills.
The weapons are hand-held by aliens that can be considered similar to humans.
Once a projectile leaves the weapon it is not powered (i.e. it's a bullet, an arrow, etc.).
Any reasonable science-based assumptions may be made about the atmosphere or other physical characteristics of planet X.
The range of the weapons is roughly 50 metres. They must be able to work anywhere on the planet.
Humans must be capable of seeing and dodging an incoming projectile from 20 or so metres away before it reaches them. The projectiles must therefore be slow-moving and big enough to be seen.
science-based weapons
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
does it have to travel by air? or ground projectiles are ok?
$endgroup$
– Kepotx
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Kepotx - Good point. I was thinking through the atmosphere. I was also assuming that the ground is kind of normal alien landscape. I'll clarify.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
How easy does it need to be to dodge? Is this like stepping out of the way of a bubble floating past, or something that can be done if you're alert and nimble, but still poses a legitimate threat? I ask because you don't actually need to slow regular arrows down by very much to make it possible for them to be dodged, but that still doesn't make it easy.
$endgroup$
– Nuclear Wang
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Hmmm. Projectiles are subject to gravity - fast or slow, any projectile fired level will reach the ground in a bit less than a second, still too rapid for dodging. A slow projectile could travel in a ballistic arc (instead of level) for those 50 meters...rather like a basketball thrown the length of the court, That could be dodged. This means, of course, that most alien hand-howitzer rounds will be very difficult to aim, and dodging may not be needed. Since the rounds are (per OP) relatively enormous, the aliens won't be able to mass fire effectively. Better to use arrows against humans,
$endgroup$
– user535733
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
"unaware that there is life" - the fact that a sterile Mars-like environment is a home to large humanoids is scientifically unlikely... but this is just a side point.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Human Earth explorers land on planet X. They are there to survey it. They are unaware that there is life on X until ...
The locals are very aggressive and fire on them from a distance. The thing is that the projectiles (which could be bullets or arrows or whatever) travel very slowly. So slowly that the humans can see them coming and dodge provided they are looking in the right direction.
If the humans are hit by a projectile then it penetrates them and can be fatal.
Question
How can I scientifically (and not magically) reconcile the slow movement of the projectiles with the fact that they can reach a distant target and be fatal?
Assumptions
The action takes place away from civilisation. You can imagine scrub-land with low hills.
The weapons are hand-held by aliens that can be considered similar to humans.
Once a projectile leaves the weapon it is not powered (i.e. it's a bullet, an arrow, etc.).
Any reasonable science-based assumptions may be made about the atmosphere or other physical characteristics of planet X.
The range of the weapons is roughly 50 metres. They must be able to work anywhere on the planet.
Humans must be capable of seeing and dodging an incoming projectile from 20 or so metres away before it reaches them. The projectiles must therefore be slow-moving and big enough to be seen.
science-based weapons
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
$endgroup$
Human Earth explorers land on planet X. They are there to survey it. They are unaware that there is life on X until ...
The locals are very aggressive and fire on them from a distance. The thing is that the projectiles (which could be bullets or arrows or whatever) travel very slowly. So slowly that the humans can see them coming and dodge provided they are looking in the right direction.
If the humans are hit by a projectile then it penetrates them and can be fatal.
Question
How can I scientifically (and not magically) reconcile the slow movement of the projectiles with the fact that they can reach a distant target and be fatal?
Assumptions
The action takes place away from civilisation. You can imagine scrub-land with low hills.
The weapons are hand-held by aliens that can be considered similar to humans.
Once a projectile leaves the weapon it is not powered (i.e. it's a bullet, an arrow, etc.).
Any reasonable science-based assumptions may be made about the atmosphere or other physical characteristics of planet X.
The range of the weapons is roughly 50 metres. They must be able to work anywhere on the planet.
Humans must be capable of seeing and dodging an incoming projectile from 20 or so metres away before it reaches them. The projectiles must therefore be slow-moving and big enough to be seen.
science-based weapons
science-based weapons
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
edited 2 hours ago
chasly from UK
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
asked 2 hours ago
chasly from UKchasly from UK
17.6k776154
17.6k776154
$begingroup$
does it have to travel by air? or ground projectiles are ok?
$endgroup$
– Kepotx
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Kepotx - Good point. I was thinking through the atmosphere. I was also assuming that the ground is kind of normal alien landscape. I'll clarify.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
How easy does it need to be to dodge? Is this like stepping out of the way of a bubble floating past, or something that can be done if you're alert and nimble, but still poses a legitimate threat? I ask because you don't actually need to slow regular arrows down by very much to make it possible for them to be dodged, but that still doesn't make it easy.
$endgroup$
– Nuclear Wang
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Hmmm. Projectiles are subject to gravity - fast or slow, any projectile fired level will reach the ground in a bit less than a second, still too rapid for dodging. A slow projectile could travel in a ballistic arc (instead of level) for those 50 meters...rather like a basketball thrown the length of the court, That could be dodged. This means, of course, that most alien hand-howitzer rounds will be very difficult to aim, and dodging may not be needed. Since the rounds are (per OP) relatively enormous, the aliens won't be able to mass fire effectively. Better to use arrows against humans,
$endgroup$
– user535733
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
"unaware that there is life" - the fact that a sterile Mars-like environment is a home to large humanoids is scientifically unlikely... but this is just a side point.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
does it have to travel by air? or ground projectiles are ok?
$endgroup$
– Kepotx
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Kepotx - Good point. I was thinking through the atmosphere. I was also assuming that the ground is kind of normal alien landscape. I'll clarify.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
How easy does it need to be to dodge? Is this like stepping out of the way of a bubble floating past, or something that can be done if you're alert and nimble, but still poses a legitimate threat? I ask because you don't actually need to slow regular arrows down by very much to make it possible for them to be dodged, but that still doesn't make it easy.
$endgroup$
– Nuclear Wang
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Hmmm. Projectiles are subject to gravity - fast or slow, any projectile fired level will reach the ground in a bit less than a second, still too rapid for dodging. A slow projectile could travel in a ballistic arc (instead of level) for those 50 meters...rather like a basketball thrown the length of the court, That could be dodged. This means, of course, that most alien hand-howitzer rounds will be very difficult to aim, and dodging may not be needed. Since the rounds are (per OP) relatively enormous, the aliens won't be able to mass fire effectively. Better to use arrows against humans,
$endgroup$
– user535733
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
"unaware that there is life" - the fact that a sterile Mars-like environment is a home to large humanoids is scientifically unlikely... but this is just a side point.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 mins ago
$begingroup$
does it have to travel by air? or ground projectiles are ok?
$endgroup$
– Kepotx
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
does it have to travel by air? or ground projectiles are ok?
$endgroup$
– Kepotx
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Kepotx - Good point. I was thinking through the atmosphere. I was also assuming that the ground is kind of normal alien landscape. I'll clarify.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Kepotx - Good point. I was thinking through the atmosphere. I was also assuming that the ground is kind of normal alien landscape. I'll clarify.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
How easy does it need to be to dodge? Is this like stepping out of the way of a bubble floating past, or something that can be done if you're alert and nimble, but still poses a legitimate threat? I ask because you don't actually need to slow regular arrows down by very much to make it possible for them to be dodged, but that still doesn't make it easy.
$endgroup$
– Nuclear Wang
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
How easy does it need to be to dodge? Is this like stepping out of the way of a bubble floating past, or something that can be done if you're alert and nimble, but still poses a legitimate threat? I ask because you don't actually need to slow regular arrows down by very much to make it possible for them to be dodged, but that still doesn't make it easy.
$endgroup$
– Nuclear Wang
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Hmmm. Projectiles are subject to gravity - fast or slow, any projectile fired level will reach the ground in a bit less than a second, still too rapid for dodging. A slow projectile could travel in a ballistic arc (instead of level) for those 50 meters...rather like a basketball thrown the length of the court, That could be dodged. This means, of course, that most alien hand-howitzer rounds will be very difficult to aim, and dodging may not be needed. Since the rounds are (per OP) relatively enormous, the aliens won't be able to mass fire effectively. Better to use arrows against humans,
$endgroup$
– user535733
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Hmmm. Projectiles are subject to gravity - fast or slow, any projectile fired level will reach the ground in a bit less than a second, still too rapid for dodging. A slow projectile could travel in a ballistic arc (instead of level) for those 50 meters...rather like a basketball thrown the length of the court, That could be dodged. This means, of course, that most alien hand-howitzer rounds will be very difficult to aim, and dodging may not be needed. Since the rounds are (per OP) relatively enormous, the aliens won't be able to mass fire effectively. Better to use arrows against humans,
$endgroup$
– user535733
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
"unaware that there is life" - the fact that a sterile Mars-like environment is a home to large humanoids is scientifically unlikely... but this is just a side point.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 mins ago
$begingroup$
"unaware that there is life" - the fact that a sterile Mars-like environment is a home to large humanoids is scientifically unlikely... but this is just a side point.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 mins ago
add a comment |
6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Well if the projectiles are fired upwards they would take a long time to fall on the target, making it easy to predict where it's going to land if you can see it being fired.
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
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Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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$begingroup$
The energy behind a projectile depends on mv^2. Bullets and similar projectiles maximize v because energy increases as the square.
Your aliens maximize m.
A very large mass projectile can be moving quite slowly and still do a lot of damage when it hits. The humans can see these things coming and dodge to some degree as long as there are not too may at once.
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Lower gravity on the planet
Projectiles start falling to the ground as soon as they are launched. On Earth this means if you want to lob a boulder onto your enemy, you need your catapault/trebuchet to get the boulder going fast so it can cover the distance between you and your opponent before it finishes falling to the ground. On an alien planet with lower gravity, the projectile will fall to the ground more slowly so it doesn't need to go as fast. If it's going slower it will still reach your opponent. So your aliens pick up big boulders and throw them, but they move slowly through the air like astronauts on the moon:
https://youtu.be/x2adl6LszcE?t=95
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The locals perform some entomological warfare by lobbing nests of deadly alien bees at the explorers, just like some humans may have done in the past.
Using slings or other such tool the locals (presumably wearing some protective clothes) throw the nests in a high arc at groups of explorers. The explorers can see the nests coming and jog away from the landing site before the inevitable angry cloud of alien bees form.
However, if the explorers don't get out of the area quick enough then they face death by a swarm of projectiles who just had their home turned into a grenade.
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
We've had those for millenia im our own history. They are called spears. The launcher is your own arm.
Depending on the spear and who is throwing it, the range you ask for is more than feasible. And if you see a piece of wood with a very sharp point coming your way, thrown by someone sixty or more feet away, you have enough time to duck or cartwheel out of the way.
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
grenade launcher
we are thinking so hard about this answer. a grenade launcher. you said it needs to still be lethal and it seems everyone is trying to find a way to make an instakilling slow moving object. why not make the slow moving projectile explode when it reaches its target. It could even be rocket propelled and be slow enough for people to react. or we could go with plasma rounds. a chain reaction of creating plasma out of the very atmosphere focused in the direction of the intended target.
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
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6 Answers
6
active
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6 Answers
6
active
oldest
votes
active
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active
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$begingroup$
Well if the projectiles are fired upwards they would take a long time to fall on the target, making it easy to predict where it's going to land if you can see it being fired.
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
New contributor
Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Well if the projectiles are fired upwards they would take a long time to fall on the target, making it easy to predict where it's going to land if you can see it being fired.
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
New contributor
Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Well if the projectiles are fired upwards they would take a long time to fall on the target, making it easy to predict where it's going to land if you can see it being fired.
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
New contributor
Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
Well if the projectiles are fired upwards they would take a long time to fall on the target, making it easy to predict where it's going to land if you can see it being fired.
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
New contributor
Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
New contributor
Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
answered 1 hour ago
Mphiwe NtuliMphiwe Ntuli
392
392
New contributor
Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
Mphiwe Ntuli is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The energy behind a projectile depends on mv^2. Bullets and similar projectiles maximize v because energy increases as the square.
Your aliens maximize m.
A very large mass projectile can be moving quite slowly and still do a lot of damage when it hits. The humans can see these things coming and dodge to some degree as long as there are not too may at once.
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The energy behind a projectile depends on mv^2. Bullets and similar projectiles maximize v because energy increases as the square.
Your aliens maximize m.
A very large mass projectile can be moving quite slowly and still do a lot of damage when it hits. The humans can see these things coming and dodge to some degree as long as there are not too may at once.
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The energy behind a projectile depends on mv^2. Bullets and similar projectiles maximize v because energy increases as the square.
Your aliens maximize m.
A very large mass projectile can be moving quite slowly and still do a lot of damage when it hits. The humans can see these things coming and dodge to some degree as long as there are not too may at once.
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
$endgroup$
The energy behind a projectile depends on mv^2. Bullets and similar projectiles maximize v because energy increases as the square.
Your aliens maximize m.
A very large mass projectile can be moving quite slowly and still do a lot of damage when it hits. The humans can see these things coming and dodge to some degree as long as there are not too may at once.
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
answered 1 hour ago
WillkWillk
110k26205458
110k26205458
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Lower gravity on the planet
Projectiles start falling to the ground as soon as they are launched. On Earth this means if you want to lob a boulder onto your enemy, you need your catapault/trebuchet to get the boulder going fast so it can cover the distance between you and your opponent before it finishes falling to the ground. On an alien planet with lower gravity, the projectile will fall to the ground more slowly so it doesn't need to go as fast. If it's going slower it will still reach your opponent. So your aliens pick up big boulders and throw them, but they move slowly through the air like astronauts on the moon:
https://youtu.be/x2adl6LszcE?t=95
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Lower gravity on the planet
Projectiles start falling to the ground as soon as they are launched. On Earth this means if you want to lob a boulder onto your enemy, you need your catapault/trebuchet to get the boulder going fast so it can cover the distance between you and your opponent before it finishes falling to the ground. On an alien planet with lower gravity, the projectile will fall to the ground more slowly so it doesn't need to go as fast. If it's going slower it will still reach your opponent. So your aliens pick up big boulders and throw them, but they move slowly through the air like astronauts on the moon:
https://youtu.be/x2adl6LszcE?t=95
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Lower gravity on the planet
Projectiles start falling to the ground as soon as they are launched. On Earth this means if you want to lob a boulder onto your enemy, you need your catapault/trebuchet to get the boulder going fast so it can cover the distance between you and your opponent before it finishes falling to the ground. On an alien planet with lower gravity, the projectile will fall to the ground more slowly so it doesn't need to go as fast. If it's going slower it will still reach your opponent. So your aliens pick up big boulders and throw them, but they move slowly through the air like astronauts on the moon:
https://youtu.be/x2adl6LszcE?t=95
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
$endgroup$
Lower gravity on the planet
Projectiles start falling to the ground as soon as they are launched. On Earth this means if you want to lob a boulder onto your enemy, you need your catapault/trebuchet to get the boulder going fast so it can cover the distance between you and your opponent before it finishes falling to the ground. On an alien planet with lower gravity, the projectile will fall to the ground more slowly so it doesn't need to go as fast. If it's going slower it will still reach your opponent. So your aliens pick up big boulders and throw them, but they move slowly through the air like astronauts on the moon:
https://youtu.be/x2adl6LszcE?t=95
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
answered 48 mins ago
Jared KJared K
3,4711523
3,4711523
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The locals perform some entomological warfare by lobbing nests of deadly alien bees at the explorers, just like some humans may have done in the past.
Using slings or other such tool the locals (presumably wearing some protective clothes) throw the nests in a high arc at groups of explorers. The explorers can see the nests coming and jog away from the landing site before the inevitable angry cloud of alien bees form.
However, if the explorers don't get out of the area quick enough then they face death by a swarm of projectiles who just had their home turned into a grenade.
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The locals perform some entomological warfare by lobbing nests of deadly alien bees at the explorers, just like some humans may have done in the past.
Using slings or other such tool the locals (presumably wearing some protective clothes) throw the nests in a high arc at groups of explorers. The explorers can see the nests coming and jog away from the landing site before the inevitable angry cloud of alien bees form.
However, if the explorers don't get out of the area quick enough then they face death by a swarm of projectiles who just had their home turned into a grenade.
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The locals perform some entomological warfare by lobbing nests of deadly alien bees at the explorers, just like some humans may have done in the past.
Using slings or other such tool the locals (presumably wearing some protective clothes) throw the nests in a high arc at groups of explorers. The explorers can see the nests coming and jog away from the landing site before the inevitable angry cloud of alien bees form.
However, if the explorers don't get out of the area quick enough then they face death by a swarm of projectiles who just had their home turned into a grenade.
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
$endgroup$
The locals perform some entomological warfare by lobbing nests of deadly alien bees at the explorers, just like some humans may have done in the past.
Using slings or other such tool the locals (presumably wearing some protective clothes) throw the nests in a high arc at groups of explorers. The explorers can see the nests coming and jog away from the landing site before the inevitable angry cloud of alien bees form.
However, if the explorers don't get out of the area quick enough then they face death by a swarm of projectiles who just had their home turned into a grenade.
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
edited 59 mins ago
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
answered 1 hour ago
GiterGiter
14.4k53543
14.4k53543
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
We've had those for millenia im our own history. They are called spears. The launcher is your own arm.
Depending on the spear and who is throwing it, the range you ask for is more than feasible. And if you see a piece of wood with a very sharp point coming your way, thrown by someone sixty or more feet away, you have enough time to duck or cartwheel out of the way.
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
We've had those for millenia im our own history. They are called spears. The launcher is your own arm.
Depending on the spear and who is throwing it, the range you ask for is more than feasible. And if you see a piece of wood with a very sharp point coming your way, thrown by someone sixty or more feet away, you have enough time to duck or cartwheel out of the way.
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
We've had those for millenia im our own history. They are called spears. The launcher is your own arm.
Depending on the spear and who is throwing it, the range you ask for is more than feasible. And if you see a piece of wood with a very sharp point coming your way, thrown by someone sixty or more feet away, you have enough time to duck or cartwheel out of the way.
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
$endgroup$
We've had those for millenia im our own history. They are called spears. The launcher is your own arm.
Depending on the spear and who is throwing it, the range you ask for is more than feasible. And if you see a piece of wood with a very sharp point coming your way, thrown by someone sixty or more feet away, you have enough time to duck or cartwheel out of the way.
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
answered 30 mins ago
RenanRenan
49.4k13113248
49.4k13113248
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
grenade launcher
we are thinking so hard about this answer. a grenade launcher. you said it needs to still be lethal and it seems everyone is trying to find a way to make an instakilling slow moving object. why not make the slow moving projectile explode when it reaches its target. It could even be rocket propelled and be slow enough for people to react. or we could go with plasma rounds. a chain reaction of creating plasma out of the very atmosphere focused in the direction of the intended target.
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
New contributor
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
grenade launcher
we are thinking so hard about this answer. a grenade launcher. you said it needs to still be lethal and it seems everyone is trying to find a way to make an instakilling slow moving object. why not make the slow moving projectile explode when it reaches its target. It could even be rocket propelled and be slow enough for people to react. or we could go with plasma rounds. a chain reaction of creating plasma out of the very atmosphere focused in the direction of the intended target.
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
New contributor
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
grenade launcher
we are thinking so hard about this answer. a grenade launcher. you said it needs to still be lethal and it seems everyone is trying to find a way to make an instakilling slow moving object. why not make the slow moving projectile explode when it reaches its target. It could even be rocket propelled and be slow enough for people to react. or we could go with plasma rounds. a chain reaction of creating plasma out of the very atmosphere focused in the direction of the intended target.
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
New contributor
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
$endgroup$
grenade launcher
we are thinking so hard about this answer. a grenade launcher. you said it needs to still be lethal and it seems everyone is trying to find a way to make an instakilling slow moving object. why not make the slow moving projectile explode when it reaches its target. It could even be rocket propelled and be slow enough for people to react. or we could go with plasma rounds. a chain reaction of creating plasma out of the very atmosphere focused in the direction of the intended target.
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
New contributor
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
New contributor
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
answered 26 mins ago
Elias Rowan AlbatrossElias Rowan Albatross
14110
14110
New contributor
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Elias Rowan Albatross is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
does it have to travel by air? or ground projectiles are ok?
$endgroup$
– Kepotx
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
@Kepotx - Good point. I was thinking through the atmosphere. I was also assuming that the ground is kind of normal alien landscape. I'll clarify.
$endgroup$
– chasly from UK
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
How easy does it need to be to dodge? Is this like stepping out of the way of a bubble floating past, or something that can be done if you're alert and nimble, but still poses a legitimate threat? I ask because you don't actually need to slow regular arrows down by very much to make it possible for them to be dodged, but that still doesn't make it easy.
$endgroup$
– Nuclear Wang
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Hmmm. Projectiles are subject to gravity - fast or slow, any projectile fired level will reach the ground in a bit less than a second, still too rapid for dodging. A slow projectile could travel in a ballistic arc (instead of level) for those 50 meters...rather like a basketball thrown the length of the court, That could be dodged. This means, of course, that most alien hand-howitzer rounds will be very difficult to aim, and dodging may not be needed. Since the rounds are (per OP) relatively enormous, the aliens won't be able to mass fire effectively. Better to use arrows against humans,
$endgroup$
– user535733
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
"unaware that there is life" - the fact that a sterile Mars-like environment is a home to large humanoids is scientifically unlikely... but this is just a side point.
$endgroup$
– Alexander
2 mins ago