How Does Initial Bullet Speed Relate to Conservation of Energy and Momentum?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the conservation of energy and momentum in the context of a bullet impacting a block and the dynamics of a mass-spring system. Participants explore the relationships between initial speeds, potential energy, and kinetic energy in various scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial speed of a bullet and its relation to energy conservation when impacting a block. There are attempts to apply energy conservation principles to a mass-spring system, with some questioning the correctness of their calculations and assumptions.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered insights into the energy transformations involved in the problems. There is ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the energy equations, with no explicit consensus reached on the correct approach or calculations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the application of energy conservation principles and the conditions for maximum kinetic energy in oscillating systems. There are mentions of specific parameters, such as mass, spring constant, and displacement, which may influence the calculations.

hauthuong
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A bullet of mass 0.0021 kg is shot into a wooden block of mass 0.197 kg.

They rise to a final height of 0.546 m as shown. What was the initial speed (in m/s) of the bullet before it hit the block?

I figured out this one
I got another one
A 5.0 kg ball is attached to a vertical unstretched spring with k = 762 N/m and then released. What distance does the ball fall just as it momentarily comes to rest?
I use F=-kx with F=mg therefore mg=-kx from there I solve for x but I got the wrong answer. What am I wrong. Thank you
 
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hauthuong said:
A 5.0 kg ball is attached to a vertical unstretched spring with k = 762 N/m and then released. What distance does the ball fall just as it momentarily comes to rest?
I use F=-kx with F=mg therefore mg=-kx from there I solve for x but I got the wrong answer. What am I wrong. Thank you
Think of it as a conversion of gravitational potential energy into spring potential energy and ball kinetic energy, as the ball falls.
[tex]mgx = \frac{1}{2}(kx^2 + mv^2)[/tex]

Since maximum displacement occurs when v=0,
[tex]mgx = \frac{1}{2}kx^2[/tex]

[tex]x = 2mg/k[/tex]

AM
 
thank you
A 1.72 kg object is suspended from a spring with k = 19.1 N/m. The mass is pulled 0.305 m downward from its equilibrium position and allowed to oscillate. What is the maximum kinentic energy of the object in J?
1/2 kx^2=1/2 mv^2
and I got it wrong too
 
Try to use 1/2 kx^2=1/2 mv^2+mgl, l - heigt
Because when the mass oscillates, it's potential energy changes
 
hauthuong said:
thank you
A 1.72 kg object is suspended from a spring with k = 19.1 N/m. The mass is pulled 0.305 m downward from its equilibrium position and allowed to oscillate. What is the maximum kinentic energy of the object in J?
1/2 kx^2=1/2 mv^2
and I got it wrong too
The condition for maximum kinetic energy is dK/dt = 0 (when the rate of change of kinetic energy = 0). Since [itex]K = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{1}{2}m(dx/dt)^2[/itex] the maximum kinetic energy occurs when [itex]d^2x/dt^2 = 0[/itex] (ie. when a = 0).

The equation of motion is:
[tex]F = mg-Kx = ma[/tex] where x = the displacement from equilibrium

So when a=0
[tex]kx=mg[/tex]
[tex]x=mg/k[/tex]

Note that it is independent of the maximum amplitude. To find the speed when x=mg/k, use an energy approach:
[tex]U_g + KE + U_k = U_{ki}[/tex]
[tex]mg(A-x) + \frac{1}{2}mv^2 + \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2}kA^2[/tex]


AM
 
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I'm afraid, that I didn't understand all correctly, but the question is "What is the maximum kinentic energy of the object in J?", isn't it?
I think You are right speaking about condition for maximum kinetic energy, however it depends on amplitude x.

1/2 kx^2=1/2 mv^2+mgx (conversion of energy)

1/2 mv^2=x(kx/2-mg)
 
Yegor said:
I'm afraid, that I didn't understand all correctly, but the question is "What is the maximum kinentic energy of the object in J?", isn't it?
I think You are right speaking about condition for maximum kinetic energy, however it depends on amplitude x.

1/2 kx^2=1/2 mv^2+mgx (conversion of energy)

1/2 mv^2=x(kx/2-mg)
see my edited reply above.

AM
 
But i have
mgx+(1/2)mv^2=(1/2)k(A-x)^2,
where A=(mg/k+x)
What do You think?
 
Yegor said:
But i have
mgx+(1/2)mv^2=(1/2)k(A-x)^2,
where A=(mg/k+x)
What do You think?
A= initial amplitude.
Try:
[tex]mg(A-x) + \frac{1}{2}mv^2 + \frac{1}{2}kx^2 = \frac{1}{2}kA^2[/tex]

substituting x=mg/k:

[tex]\frac{1}{2}mv^2 = \frac{1}{2}kA^2 - mg(A - mg/k) - \frac{1}{2}m^2g^2/k[/tex]

[tex]v^2 = KA^2/m - 2gA + mg^2/k[/tex]
[tex]v = \sqrt{KA^2/m - 2gA + mg^2/k}[/tex]

AM
 
Last edited:

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