How Do You Calculate the Speed of a Bullet in a Pendulum Collision Problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the speed of a bullet that collides with a pendulum bob, where the bullet remains embedded in the bob after the collision. The scenario is set within the context of momentum and energy conservation principles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to solve the problem using two different methods, leading to conflicting results. They question the source of the discrepancy between the two approaches.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the nature of the collision, with some noting that kinetic energy is not conserved in inelastic collisions, while momentum is. There is an exploration of the implications of these principles on the differing results obtained by the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the assumptions made regarding energy conservation and the type of collision involved, which may affect the calculations and interpretations of the results.

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Homework Statement


A bullet of mass 50 g is fired from below into the bob of mass 450 g of a long simple pendulum. The bullet remains inside the bob and the bob rises through a height of 1.8 m. Find the speed of the bullet. Take g=10


Homework Equations


Momentum remains conserved
Energy remains conserved


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried to solve this using two methods and thereby I got two different answers. Tell me where am I wrong.

Using Kinematics:
Let th speed of the bullet be v. Let the velocity after th bullet is embeed is V. by the principle of conservation of linear momnetum:
[tex]V=\frac{(0.05 Kg)v}{0.45+0.05}=\frac{v}{10}[/tex]

Using v^2=u^2+2ax
v=60 m/s

2nd method:
Momentum remains conserved
Energy remains conserved
Kinetic energy of the bullet =change in potential energy of the bullet bob system.
0.5*0.05*v^2=0.5*10*1.8
[tex]v=\sqrt{360}[/tex]
 
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Please Explain this anomaly!
To different answers with the two probably correct applications. How is this possible?
 
Kinetic energy isn't conserved. Overall energy is conserved, but the collision is inelastic. The bullet is stopped by the target. Some of the kinetic energy is lost to heat and other forms of energy. Momentum is ALWAYS conserved.
 
Dick said:
Kinetic energy isn't conserved. Overall energy is conserved, but the collision is inelastic. The bullet is stopped by the target. Some of the kinetic energy is lost to heat and other forms of energy. Momentum is ALWAYS conserved.

Thanks
 

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