Bullet fired in a pendulum. Calculate the initial speed of the bullet.

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the initial speed of a bullet fired into a pendulum, apply the conservation of momentum at the moment of impact, where the bullet embeds itself in the pendulum bob. Next, use the conservation of energy principle to analyze the pendulum's rise, converting kinetic energy into potential energy as it ascends 5.0 cm. The mass of the bullet is 0.005 kg, and the pendulum bob has a mass of 4.0 kg. By solving these equations, the initial speed of the bullet can be determined. This approach effectively combines both momentum and energy conservation to find the solution.
febreze
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I've been trying to figure this out for a while and it's due tomorrow...any help would be greatly appreciated.

A .005 kg bullet is fired into a 4.0 kg pendulum bob initially at rest and becomes embedded in it. If the pendulum rises a vertical distance of 5.0 cm, calculate the initial speed of the bullet.

I tried to use a kinematics equation to find the velocity, but I needed an acceleration, so I tried to use F=ma, but I'm retarded or something but couldn't figure it out any way. Thanks for any help offered.
 
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febreze said:
I've been trying to figure this out for a while and it's due tomorrow...any help would be greatly appreciated.
A .005 kg bullet is fired into a 4.0 kg pendulum bob initially at rest and becomes embedded in it. If the pendulum rises a vertical distance of 5.0 cm, calculate the initial speed of the bullet.
I tried to use a kinematics equation to find the velocity, but I needed an acceleration, so I tried to use F=ma, but I'm retarded or something but couldn't figure it out any way. Thanks for any help offered.

1. Use conservation of momentum when the bullet hits the pendulum.

2. Then use conservation of energy when the bullet+pendulum swing to the top.

Zz.
 
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