Help momentum, recoil speed [simple]

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving momentum and recoil speed related to a bullet fired from a rifle. The original poster presents the mass of the bullet and rifle, along with the bullet's speed, and seeks to calculate the recoil speed of the rifle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conservation of momentum, with the original poster attempting to equate the momentum of the bullet and the rifle. There are questions regarding the correct interpretation of the bullet's speed and the appropriate units for mass.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the calculations and assumptions made regarding the bullet's speed and mass. Some participants provide corrections and alternative calculations, but no consensus has been reached on the final recoil speed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of using consistent units, specifically converting grams to kilograms, and there is some confusion about the bullet's speed as presented in scientific notation.

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Homework Statement


A bullet m= 9.0 g leaves the barrel of a rifle with a speed = 8.0 x 10 ^2 ms-1 (by the may I am sure - is this 80 ms-1 ?)

The mass of the rifle = 1.8 kg
The rifle is free to move back
Calculate the speed of recoil

Homework Equations


I figured I would need these :
p=mv
F=mv/t

I'm not sure wether that's all I need.

The Attempt at a Solution

Well, first of all I think that the momentum 1 way = the momentum the other way.
so

p1=p2

m1 x v1 = m2 x v2

9 [g] x 80 [ms-1] = 1800 g (1.8 kg right ?) x V2

720 = 1800 V2

V2= 720/1800

V2= 0.4

Is this correct guys ?
 
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the way you solve the problem is correct however i think you have a mistake about the speed of the bullet. 8.0x10^2 means the bullet moves with a velocity of 800 m/s.

according to my calculations the answer is 40 m/s...
 
hmm not sure about that .. maybe I have another mistake

m1 x v1 = m2 x v2

9 x 800 = 1800 x v2

7200 = 1800 v2

v2 = 7200 / 1800
v2 = 4

isnt it 4 ms -1 ?
 
yes the method you have used is correct however as cryphonus said, the velocity is 800 m/s. also grams is not the si unit for mass, kilograms is. so you want to use 0.009kg and 1.8kg as the masses.

i got an answer of 4 m/s
 
thanks a lot guys
 
Ok; here is how i solved it; initial momentum is
800 m/s.0.09 kg (mass of the bullet in kilogram);

which is 72 m.kg/s

so if the initial momentum is 72 m.kg/s the final value should be equal to 72 also;

P(final)=1,8kg (mass of the rifle).V(recoilspeed)

72=1,8.V

V=40 m/s ,
it is in the opposite direction of the bullet so if you express the speed of the bullet as a positive value, you have to express the recoil speed as negative

any corrections are welcome...
 
9 g =0.009kg not 0.09kg
 

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