Solving Momentum in Inelastic Collisions

AI Thread Summary
In the discussion on solving momentum in inelastic collisions, a bullet of mass 0.11 kg traveling at 1129.8 m/s collides with a wooden block of mass 12.7 kg, embedding itself in the block. The initial momentum is calculated as 124.278 kg·m/s, and using conservation of momentum, the final velocity of the combined masses is determined to be 9.702 m/s. However, the impulse acting on the block is incorrectly calculated as zero, when it should reflect the change in momentum due to the bullet's impact. The correct impulse is derived from the change in velocity of both the bullet and the block. The final answer for the impulse acting on the block is 123.21 m/s, highlighting the importance of accurately accounting for momentum changes in collisions.
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A bullet of mass 0.11 kg and moving along the horizontal direction with a speed 1129.8 meters/sec hits a wooden block of mass 12.7 kg and gets embedded in it. Find the impulse acting on the block in meters/sec.

Here's what I did:
initial momentum = (0.11*1129.8) + (12.7*0) = 124.278
final momentum = (0.11 + 12.7) v

inelastic collision, momentum is conserved; so:
initial momentum = final momentum
124.278 = 12.81v
v = 9.702 m/s
final momentum = (12.81*9.702) = 124.278

Impulse = final momentum - initial momentum
= (124.278-124.278)
= 0

The answer is 123.21 meter/sec. What did I do wrong? Please help. Thanks!
 
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Sorry, supposed to be :The change of the bullet's velocity is due to the impulse force exerted on the bullet by the block.
The change of the block's velocity is due to the impulse force exerted on the block by the bullet.
 
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Thanks Leong!
 
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