JessGold
Jul7-09, 12:27 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A cannon of mass 5.80 x 10^3 kg is rigidly bolted to the earth so it can recoil only by a negligible amount. The cannon fires an 85.0-kg shell horizontally with an initial velocity of +551 m/s. Suppose the cannon is then unbolted from the earth and no external force hinders its recoil. What would be the velocity of a shell fired by this loose cannon? (Hint: In both cases assume that the burning gunpowder imparts the same kinetic energy to the system.)
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution
A cannon of mass 5.80 x 10^3 kg is rigidly bolted to the earth so it can recoil only by a negligible amount. The cannon fires an 85.0-kg shell horizontally with an initial velocity of +551 m/s. Suppose the cannon is then unbolted from the earth and no external force hinders its recoil. What would be the velocity of a shell fired by this loose cannon? (Hint: In both cases assume that the burning gunpowder imparts the same kinetic energy to the system.)
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution