How Does Frictional Force Affect Bullet Penetration in Wood?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the frictional force exerted by wood on a bullet that penetrates it. A rifle fires a 12.0g bullet at 350m/s, which penetrates 11.0cm into the wood. The user initially attempts to apply the kinetic friction formula but realizes it is not suitable for this scenario. Instead, they explore using kinematic equations and conservation of energy to derive the frictional force. The calculations suggest that the frictional force is approximately -6682 N, indicating a significant resistance from the wood.
mugzieee
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Frictional Force, PLEASE HELP!

A rifle with a barrel length of 55.0cm fires a 12.0g bullet with a horizontal speed of 350m/s. The bullet strikes a block of wood and penetrates to a depth of 11.0cm. What frictional force (assumed to be constant) does the wood exert on the bullet?

heres what i do but its wrong:
F_k_=mu_k_*F_n_
 
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That formula certainly won't work. It's for something moving over a rough surface.

Do this instead: assuming (as the problem says) that the friction force is a constant, F, so that it has acceleration a= F/m, the velocity, t seconds after the bullet hits the wood, is v(t)= v0- (F/m)t and the distance moved in t seconds is x(t)= v0t- (F/2m)t2.

We know that v0[/sub= 350 m/s and that the bullet penetrates 11 cm into the wood. Of course, the velocity when it has reached 11 cm is 0.

Solve v(t)= 350- (F/55)t to find the time, t, it takes the bullet to penetrate the wood (depending on F of course). Now put that value of t into 350t- (F/2(12))t2= 11.0 and solve for F.
 
mugzieee said:
A rifle with a barrel length of 55.0cm fires a 12.0g bullet with a horizontal speed of 350m/s. The bullet strikes a block of wood and penetrates to a depth of 11.0cm. What frictional force (assumed to be constant) does the wood exert on the bullet?

heres what i do but its wrong:
F_k_=mu_k_*F_n_
Conservation of Energy can also be used:

{Delta Kinetic Energy} = {Frictional Force Work}

{Delta Kinetic Energy} = (1/2)*m*(v_f)^2 - (1/2)*m*(v_i)^2 =
= 0 - (1/2)*(12x10^(-3) kg)*(350 m/sec)^2
= (-735 Joules)

{Frictional Force Work} = {Friction Force}*(11x10^(-2) meters)

⇒ {Friction Force}*(11x10^(-2)) = (-735 J)
⇒ {Friction Force} = (-6682 N)

~~
 
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finding F is the hardest part for me. how do i solve for F?>
 
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