Bullet and pendulum bob initial speed help momentum.

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bullet and a pendulum bob, focusing on the initial speed of the bullet after it embeds into the bob. The scenario includes a bullet of mass 7.0 g and a pendulum bob of mass 3.5 kg, which rises a vertical distance of 8.0 cm after the collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different equations for calculating the velocity of the pendulum and bullet system, with one participant suggesting a formula that incorporates mass, while others question the validity of including mass in that context.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring the relationship between the variables involved and questioning the application of conservation of momentum. There is no clear consensus on the correct approach, as some participants are examining the role of mass in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies with the results obtained from their calculations compared to the expected answers from the homework platform, indicating potential misunderstandings of the equations involved.

lettertwelve
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bullet and pendulum bob...initial speed...help! momentum.

Homework Statement



An 7.0 g bullet is fired into a 3.5 kg pendulum bob initially at rest and becomes embedded in it. If the pendulum rises a vertical distance of 8.0 cm, calculate the initial speed of the bullet.
________m/s


Homework Equations



well there's many ways to do it, but here's one way:
v=sqrt((1+M/m)*2gh)

i tried it another way too, and got the same answer that i did with the above equation

The Attempt at a Solution



so first, 7g bullet = .007kg bullet and height of 8cm = .08m

ok so then v=sqrt((1+3.5/.007)*2*9.8*.08) = ~28.03 m/s

now, i tried this TWO WAYS and got the same answer.
but webassign says it's wrong.

why?
 
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The velocity of the pendulum and the bullet is given by:

[tex]v=\sqrt{2gh}[/tex]

The mass shouldn't enter into that part. Once v is known one can use the conservation of momentum to find the bullets initial speed.

EDIT: I see what you've done to include the mass. The problem is the mass part should be outside the square root.
 
Kurdt said:
The velocity of the pendulum and the bullet is given by:

[tex]v=\sqrt{2gh}[/tex]

The mass shouldn't enter into that part. Once v is known one can use the conservation of momentum to find the bullets initial speed.

EDIT: I see what you've done to include the mass. The problem is the mass part should be outside the square root.

which mass are you talking about?
 
The (1+M/m) term.
 

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