- #1
thehitchcocks
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The problem:
A bullet is moving at a speed of 367 m/s when it embeds into a lump of moist clay. The bullet penetrates for a distance of 0.0621m. Determine the acceleration of the bullet while moving into the clay.
I can get the correct answer by using Vf2 = Vi2 + 2ad (result: -1.08*10-6 m/s2).
However, I'm trying to understand why an approach using the average velocity doesn't work (that's what I tried first). Can you help me understand what's wrong with the following approach? :
Vavg = (Vi + Vf)/2 = 183.5 m/s
t = d/v
t = 0.0621m / (183.5 m/s) = 0.00034s
d = Vit + 1/2at2
0.0621m = 183.5 m/s * 0.00034s + 1/2a(0.00034s)2
a = -5017.3 m/s2
(you can double-check my math, but I don't believe that's the issue).
So, my specific question: this approach clearly doesn't yield the correct answer - there's something wrong with my thinking here. What specifically is wrong with it?
A bullet is moving at a speed of 367 m/s when it embeds into a lump of moist clay. The bullet penetrates for a distance of 0.0621m. Determine the acceleration of the bullet while moving into the clay.
I can get the correct answer by using Vf2 = Vi2 + 2ad (result: -1.08*10-6 m/s2).
However, I'm trying to understand why an approach using the average velocity doesn't work (that's what I tried first). Can you help me understand what's wrong with the following approach? :
Vavg = (Vi + Vf)/2 = 183.5 m/s
t = d/v
t = 0.0621m / (183.5 m/s) = 0.00034s
d = Vit + 1/2at2
0.0621m = 183.5 m/s * 0.00034s + 1/2a(0.00034s)2
a = -5017.3 m/s2
(you can double-check my math, but I don't believe that's the issue).
So, my specific question: this approach clearly doesn't yield the correct answer - there's something wrong with my thinking here. What specifically is wrong with it?