Bullet and target- conservation of momentum and energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the conservation of momentum and energy in a scenario where a bullet strikes a target. A bullet with a mass of 0.055 kg traveling at 850 m/s strikes a 0.245 kg target, emerging with a velocity of 395 m/s. The momentum conservation equation m1v1 + m2v2 = m1v1' + m2v2' is applied to find the target's velocity post-impact, resulting in 102.14 m/s. Subsequently, the conservation of energy is utilized to determine the height the target rises, yielding a maximum height of approximately 532.30 m.

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Lolagoeslala
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Homework Statement


A man aims his gun vertically and shoots a 0.245 kg target, which is positioned on a telephone pole. The bullet has a mass of 0.055 kg and is traveling at a velocity of 850 m/s upwards just before it hits the target. The bullet passes through the target, emerging with a velocity of 395 m/s upwards. How high does the target rise after being hit by the bullet?


The Attempt at a Solution



m1v1+m2v2 = m1v1`+m2v2`
(0.055kgx850m/s) = (0.055kgx395m/s) + (0.245kgxv2`)
46.75kgm/s=21.725kgm/s + (0.245kg)(v2`)
102.1428571m/s = v2`

but now what should i do i just found the speed at which the target will be moving at.. so should i use the conservation of energy like this

1/2mv2^2 = 1/2mv2`^2 + mgh
1/2(0.245kg)(102.1428571m/s)^2 = 1/2(0.245kg)(0)^2 + (0.245kg)(9.8m/s^2)(h)
1278.062499 J = (2.401 kgm/s^2)(h)
532.3042478 m = h
 
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You can check your answer by solving the problem in a different way. Ask yourself:
1) how much energy is transferred from the bullet to the target? Conservation of energy helps here.
2) how high will that much energy carry the target? Again, conservation of energy will tell you, because the maximum height is reached when there's no kinetic energy left, just potential.
 
Nugatory said:
You can check your answer by solving the problem in a different way. Ask yourself:
1) how much energy is transferred from the bullet to the target? Conservation of energy helps here.
2) how high will that much energy carry the target? Again, conservation of energy will tell you, because the maximum height is reached when there's no kinetic energy left, just potential.

How would u solve the first question??
 
IS THIS RIGHT ANYONE?? :confused:
 
Lolagoeslala said:
IS THIS RIGHT ANYONE?? :confused:


Your work looks very good to me.
 
TSny said:
Your work looks very good to me.

Oh thankx :approve:
But is there a way i can confirm the solution..?
 
Lolagoeslala said:
How would u solve the first question??

Well, you know the velocity of the bullet before it hit the target, and you can use that to calculate the kinetic energy of the bullet before it hit the target.

You know the velocity of the bullet after it hit the target, so you also know the kinetic energy of the bullet after it hit the target.

The difference between the two is the energy transferred to the target.
 
Nugatory said:
Well, you know the velocity of the bullet before it hit the target, and you can use that to calculate the kinetic energy of the bullet before it hit the target.

You know the velocity of the bullet after it hit the target, so you also know the kinetic energy of the bullet after it hit the target.

The difference between the two is the energy transferred to the target.

so is this what you are trying to say..

ET1- Wf = ET2
19868.75 J - Wf = 4290.6875 J
15578.06 = Wf
 
Lolagoeslala said:
ET1- Wf = ET2
19868.75 J - Wf = 4290.6875 J
15578.06 = Wf
Just be careful with how you interpret what type(s) of energy Wf represents.
 
  • #10
TSny said:
Just be careful with how you interpret what type(s) of energy Wf represents.

its the energy that is used to deform the target!
 
  • #11
Lolagoeslala said:
its the energy that is used to deform the target!

Part of the energy goes into deforming it, some goes into tearing a hole in it, some goes into heat, some ends up as KE of the target just after the collision, etc.
 

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