How Do You Calculate the Initial Velocity of a Bullet in a Momentum Problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a momentum problem involving a bullet fired into a wooden block, where the bullet exits the block and the block subsequently travels a distance before coming to rest. Participants are exploring how to calculate the initial velocity of the bullet based on the given parameters, including mass, speed, and friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the work-energy principle and momentum conservation to find the initial velocity of the bullet. There are discussions about the role of kinetic friction and the assumptions regarding the collision type. Some participants question the implications of the bullet passing through the block and how that affects the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided calculations and reasoning related to the work done by friction and the momentum equations. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the assumptions made, particularly concerning the conservation of momentum during the interaction. While one participant expresses gratitude for a response that aligns with their expectations, there is no explicit consensus on the approach or final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is also a mention of needing to account for the bullet's behavior during the collision, which raises questions about the assumptions made regarding the interaction.

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A 20 g bullet is fired horizontally into a .5 kg wooden block, resting on a horizontal surface ( kinetic friction coefficient is .2), THe bullet goes through the block and comes out the other side with a speed of 200m/s... if the block travels 1 m before coming to rest, what was the Vi of the bullet... (ignore work of gravity on the bullet...ps, this is a momentum problem i think, i just can't get it, i would GREATLY appreciate any help on this... i have the answer but i need to work to get credit... this is what i have so far

i tried using Wnet = change in KE

Fx - .2(.52)(1m)(9.8) = x - 1.02 J but i have no idea what to do next, i think it is a perfectly inelastic collision during the one meter, but than the bullet come out!?! how the heck do you account for that? again any help is appriaciated,,, thanks for y our time
 
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i'm not sure about this... (not really sure about wat kinetic coefficient is) but what i tink u can do is since there is kinetic friction .2 .. let's take as if u'r block is movin so use [tex]KE = 1/2 m v^2[/tex] to find u'r 'velocity' of u'r block/.. After doing that, u can use [tex]M(1) U(1) + M(2) U(2) = M(1) V(1) + M(2) V(2)[/tex] to find u'r initial speed.. i hope so.. note: u'r V(2)= 0... oso dunnoe y..

May not be rite.. though APOLOGIES! Juz try it.. hope u get u'r answer :biggrin:
 
Last edited:
Friction force = coefficient of friction * normal force.
thus friction force is 0.5*9.8*0.2=0.98 N
this acts through 1 m, so the work done by friction is
work done = F*s = 0.98 * 1 = 0.98 J.
this work done by friction is absorbing the kinetic energy of the block initially,
so the initial kinetic energy of the block is 0.98 J
thus 0.98 = 0.5*m*v^2.
so the velocity of the block just after impact is 1.980 m/s.

now, apply momentum equation,
momentum initial = momentum final
= 0.5*1.980 + 0.020 * 200 = 4.99 kg m/s.

initial momentum of the bullet is 4.99 kg m/s also, so
the speed of the bullet is 4.99/0.02 = 249 m/s.

the BIG assumption we adopt here is the external friction is negligible during the interaction process which happens very-very fast, otherwise momentum is not conserved.

maybe that helps.

Sniffer (poor physicist)
 
thank a bunch, that's exactly the answer that was given, thanks again...
 

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