In the absence of air resistance, the horizontal and vertical motions of the bullet are independent of each other. The horizontal motion is at a constant velocity of 300 meters per second, while the vertical motion is affected by the force of gravity.
We can calculate the time it takes for the bullet to travel a horizontal distance of 60 meters using the formula:
time = distance / velocity
time = 60 meters / 300 meters per second time = 0.2 seconds
Now, let's calculate the vertical distance the bullet drops in 0.2 seconds. We'll use the equation of motion for vertical motion:
distance = (1/2) * acceleration * time^2
Since the bullet is fired horizontally, its initial vertical velocity is zero. The only force acting on it is gravity, which accelerates it downward at approximately 9.8 meters per second squared.
distance = (1/2) * 9.8 meters per second squared * (0.2 seconds)^2 distance = (1/2) * 9.8 meters per second squared * 0.04 seconds squared distance = 0.98 meters
Therefore, the bullet will have dropped approximately 0.98 meters in traveling a horizontal distance of 60 meters, in the absence of air resistance.