Can bullet penetration be solved with momentum alone, or is friction needed?

[CrazyNeutrino]

I shoot a bullet of mass m with velocity v against a block of mass M.
Find how far the bullet penetrates the block. This problem turned up in my friends examination and I believe it can't be done without the coefficient of friction. Am I right or can this be calculated using conservation of momentum. If so please show me how.

 

[Doc Al]

You're right: Not enough information is given. (Is that the full problem statement?)

 

[mfb]

I think there are some variables missing:
Do you want the depth of the impact, or the length the block travels afterwards?
Is the big block part of a pendulum? (very common problem, needs length of pendulum)
Does the big block slide on a surface? (quite common problem, needs coefficient of friction)

 

[andrien]

A resistance force is needed to solve the problem inside the block.

 

[CrazyNeutrino]

No, I guess he didn't give me the entire question

 

[AJ Bentley]

I'm guessing he couldn't do it because he didn't read it properly.

 

[CrazyNeutrino]

Maybe. I need to ask him for his question paper