Find the average force required to hold the gun in position

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of impulse and how it relates to the momentum of a bullet fired from a gun. The average force required to hold the gun in position is determined using the given mass and speed of the bullet. It is important to use consistent units in calculations. It is also noted that calculating the impulse for one bullet over a shorter time interval yields the same result as multiple bullets over a longer time interval.
  • #1
Joe_1234
25
0
A gun fires 6 bullets per second into a target. The mass of each bullet is 3g & the speed of 500 m/s. Find the average force required to hold the gun in position.
 
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  • #2
Impulse equation ...

$F \cdot \Delta t = m \cdot \Delta v$
 
  • #3
skeeter said:
Impulse equation ...

$F \cdot \Delta t = m \cdot \Delta v$
Tnx
 
  • #4
You titled this "momentum" so it looks like you already knew the basic idea. The momentum of a single bullet is "mass times velocity" and you are given both of those. Of course, the momentum of 6 bullets is 6 times the momentum of a single bullet. Since this all happens in one second, divide by one second to get the force.

Be careful to use consistent units. You are given the mass in grams and the speed in m per second. Either convert mass to kg to get the force in Newtons or convert the speed to cm per second to get the force in dynes. I recommend the former.
 
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  • #5
HallsofIvy said:
You titled this "momentum" so it looks like you already knew the basic idea. The momentum of a single bullet is "mass times velocity" and you are given both of those. Of course, the momentum of 6 bullets is 6 times the momentum of a single bullet. Since this all happens in one second, divide by one second to get the force.

calculating the impulse for one bullet over $\Delta t = \frac{1}{6} \text{ sec}$ yields the same result as six bullets in $\Delta t = 1 \text{ sec}$
 
  • #6
Joe_1234 said:
Tnx
Serious question - is it harder to type “thanks” or “tnx “ on your phone? On mine the latter will auto correct to something else so it’s actually harder.
 

1. What is the definition of average force?

The average force is the total force applied over a certain period of time, divided by the duration of that time period.

2. How do you calculate the average force required to hold a gun in position?

To calculate the average force, you would need to measure the total force applied to hold the gun in position and the duration of time for which it was held. Then, divide the total force by the time duration to get the average force.

3. Why is it important to find the average force required to hold a gun in position?

Knowing the average force required to hold a gun in position can help in understanding the amount of strength and stability needed for proper handling and shooting of the gun. It can also aid in determining the potential fatigue and strain on the person holding the gun.

4. What factors can affect the average force required to hold a gun in position?

The average force required to hold a gun in position can be affected by various factors such as the weight and design of the gun, the strength and stability of the person holding the gun, and external forces such as recoil or wind.

5. Can the average force required to hold a gun in position vary for different individuals?

Yes, the average force required to hold a gun in position can vary for different individuals depending on their strength, stability, and experience with handling guns. It can also vary for the same individual depending on the type of gun and external conditions.

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