Horizontal Recoil Speed of gun

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 1200kg gun that fires an 8kg projectile at a velocity of 600m/s at a 30-degree angle, with the goal of determining the horizontal recoil speed of the gun. The subject area pertains to momentum and the principles of conservation in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the principle of momentum conservation in relation to the recoil of the gun when the projectile is fired. There are inquiries about the conservation law and its application in both horizontal and vertical directions, particularly considering the angle of the gun.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the concept of momentum conservation, with some expressing confusion about its implications and the definitions involved. Guidance has been offered regarding the need to consider the system's boundaries and the conditions under which momentum is conserved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention difficulties in understanding the conservation of momentum and impulse, indicating a need for clearer explanations. There is also a recognition that external forces can affect momentum conservation, particularly in more complex scenarios.

Chica1975
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Homework Statement


a 1200kg gun mounted on wheels shoots an 8kg projectile with a muzzle velocity of 600m/s at an angle of 30degrees above the horizontal. find the horizontal recoil speed of the gun


Homework Equations



KE= .5mvfE2 - .5MViE2

The Attempt at a Solution


to be honest I have read this several times and really do not understand what to do please help me.
 
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What is happening is that the projectile is being shot out of the gun, so the impact of the projectile leaving is causing the recoil.

What principle do you know involves collisions and impacts?
 
elasticity?
 
or perhaps momentum?
 
Chica1975 said:
or perhaps momentum?

Right and in any sort of collision momentum is conserved. However, you have the gun at an angle, so you need to apply the conservation law in both horizontal and vertical directions.
 
can you please explain the conservation law to me - I have read the book several times but our language is not attuned.

In a simple way please tell me what it means. thanks

I have tried everything I can think of with momentum but I don't understand about the law of conservation of momentum and impulse - I think this is my problem.
 
Chica1975 said:
can you please explain the conservation law to me - I have read the book several times but our language is not attuned.

In a simple way please tell me what it means. thanks

I have tried everything I can think of with momentum but I don't understand about the law of conservation of momentum and impulse - I think this is my problem.

Essentially it is that the total momentum in a closed system is zero.

or in easier terms

the momentum before the event = momentum after the event
(in a given direction).
 
Remember that momentum is only conserved when no external force acts on the system.
momentum along X is anyway conserved
But for Y, if you take gun and bullet as system then its not conserved
its conserved only when you system is GUN+BULLET+EARTH

well you'll say that it doesn't matter what i consider as system as momentum is conserved anyway but in more complex problems especially when friction is involved, not considering right system makes problems difficult and maybe also lead to wrong answer!
 

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