Bullet stopped by sandbag: heat and temperature changes

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating temperature changes resulting from energy transformations in three physics problems. The first problem involves a bullet traveling at 360 m/s, where half of its kinetic energy is converted to heat, requiring the use of the formula E=1/2 mv² and Q=mcΔθ to find the temperature increase. The second problem calculates the temperature change of a 320 g lead ball dropped from 12 m, using potential energy conversion to heat energy. The third problem addresses the power of a water heater that heats 1.2 kg of water from 25°C to 40°C, applying the formula Pt=mcΔθ to determine the power output.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinetic energy and potential energy concepts
  • Familiarity with specific heat capacity calculations
  • Proficiency in algebraic manipulation of equations
  • Knowledge of energy conservation principles in thermodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of the kinetic energy formula E=1/2 mv²
  • Study the principles of energy conservation in inelastic collisions
  • Learn how to calculate power in heating systems using Pt=mcΔθ
  • Explore the concept of specific heat capacity in different materials
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching thermodynamics, and anyone interested in energy transformations and heat calculations in mechanical systems.

silverchain
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Homework Statement



1. A bullet traveling at a speed of 360 m s-1 is stopped by a sandbag. Assuming half of the energy of the bullet becomes heat energy that is absorbed by the bullet, calculate the increase in temperature of the bullet. (Specific heat capacity of bullet = 160 J kg-1 C-1)

2. A lead ball of mass 320 g is dropped from a height of 12 m. The collision between the ball and the ground is completely inelastic. Assuming all the energy of the ball goes into heating it, calculate the change in temperature of the ball. (Specific heat capacity of lead = 128 J kg-1 C)

3. Water has a high specific heat capacity. In a water heater system in the bathroom, the flowing water has to be heated up in a short period of time. IN a certain water heater, 1.2kg of water at an initial temperature of 25 celsius passes through the heating coil every 20 x. What is the power heater if the heating system delivers water at a temperature of 40 celsius? (specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg-1 C)

Homework Equations



Q=mc0

The Attempt at a Solution



Im currently on a revision and i hope someone could help me out with these questions. Guide, steps, and explanation is greatly appreciated.
 
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Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy in joules needed to raise 1kg of the substance 1deg C.
1, The kinetic energy of a moving object (in joules) is 0.5 x mass in kg x velocity (m/s) * velocity(m/s)
2, The potential energy of a body (in joules) is height(m) x mass(kg) x g where g is 9.8m/s/s
 
ohw..thnx for the formulas...i'll try to do first. ^^
 
can anyone correct me if i am wrong.

question 1
0.5 x 360 = 160 x 0(teta)
0(teta) = 1.125 J
*why do we use 0.5
*is my answer correct? pls do tell me if I am wrong


question 2
12 x 0.32 x 9.8 = 0.32 x 128 x 0(teta)
37.632 = 40.96 x teta
teta = 0.91875 J
* is this correct?

question 3
no idea at all. Pls do teach me how to solve it
 
silverchain said:
can anyone correct me if i am wrong.

question 1
0.5 x 360 = 160 x 0(teta)
0(teta) = 1.125 J
*why do we use 0.5
*is my answer correct? pls do tell me if I am wrong
This is incorrect. You should write down the equations you need to use first, instead of trying to patch one together.

Firstly, you are told that the bullet is traveling at 360m/s. So, what is the kinetic energy of the bullet, using the formula E=1/2\cdot mv^2? You are then told that half of this is converted into heat energy. So, you want to find the change in temperature that E/2 gives to the bullet. Rearrange Q=mc\Delta\theta and solve for delta theta.

question 2
12 x 0.32 x 9.8 = 0.32 x 128 x 0(teta)
37.632 = 40.96 x teta
teta = 0.91875 J
* is this correct?
This is right, presuming you've performed the arithmetic correctly. In future, though, it would be helpful to write down what equations you were using, and justification for using them. For example, you say that the kinetic energy as the ball hits the ground is equal to the potential energy of the ball when it is dropped. This gets converted into heat energy which raises the temperature of the ball by the amount given.
 
wow, thnx cristo, I've found the solution to question 1. Okay, i'll try to write down the formulas.

question 3
i assume we'll be using the formula Pt=mc\theta
so my solution,
P(20s) = 1.2 x 4200 x (40-25)
P(20) = 75600
P = 3780 W

is this right?
 
silverchain said:
wow, thnx cristo, I've found the solution to question 1. Okay, i'll try to write down the formulas.

question 3
i assume we'll be using the formula Pt=mc\theta
so my solution,
P(20s) = 1.2 x 4200 x (40-25)
P(20) = 75600
P = 3780 W

is this right?

I'm not sure to be honest. I don't know about the assumption that it takes a second for the water to circulate the heating coil, but then, I can't see another way for the question to be done.

Perhaps someone else will come along and be able to clarify.
 

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