Calculating the loss in mechanical energy due to a collision

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the loss in mechanical energy due to a collision in a ballistic pendulum system involving a bullet and a wooden block. The bullet, weighing 0.00500 kg, strikes a 1.00 kg wooden block, resulting in an increase in height of 0.05 m. Using conservation of momentum and energy principles, the bullet's speed is determined to be 199 m/s. The calculated loss in mechanical energy from the collision is 98.5 Joules, prompting further inquiries about energy states before and after the collision.

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  • Understanding of conservation of momentum principles
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  • Basic proficiency in calculating kinetic and potential energy
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Ballistic Pendulum system. Bullet weighs .00500kg and the wooden block it hits weighs 1.00kg. The increase in height is .05m. Using conservation of momentum and conservation of energy I have calculated the bullets speed at 199m/s. How can I calculate the loss in mechanical energy as a result of the collision?

The answer is 98.5 Joules. I have no idea where to start.
 
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What is the energy before the collision? and after the collision?
 

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