How does distance impact bullet drop?

The correct answer highlights the fundamental physics at play when a bullet is fired. As a bullet travels through the air, it is subject to the force of gravity, which pulls it downward. The farther the bullet travels, the more time it spends in the air, allowing gravity to exert its influence.

This phenomenon means that as the distance increases, the bullet experiences a greater cumulative effect of gravity, causing it to drop more significantly compared to shorter distances. In practical shooting scenarios, this understanding is critical for marksmanship, as it requires shooters to adjust their aim based on the distance to their target to account for this drop.

The other potential answers address misconceptions about bullet behavior. It's not true that the bullet remains unaffected by distance or that it only drops at specific distances, as gravity acts on the bullet's trajectory continuously throughout its flight. Additionally, the idea that a bullet drops less over longer distances contradicts the natural effects of gravity, which is a constant force acting on the bullet throughout its travel.