How Fast Was the Bullet Before Hitting the Block?

[CaptFormal]

Homework Statement

An 8.37g bullet is fired into a 235g block that is initially at rest at the edge of a table of h = 1.18 m height (see the figure below).

http://schubert.tmcc.edu/res/ohiou/serwaylib/Graphics/Graph06/serw0626.gif

The bullet remains in the block, and after the impact the block lands d = 1.82 m from the bottom of the table. Determine the initial speed of the bullet.

Homework Equations

V = ((m + M)/m)*(2gh)^(1/2)

v = velocity
m = mass of bullet
M = mass of box
g = gravity
h = height

The Attempt at a Solution

Not sure if the above equation should be used or not but it is all I have been working with. However, I am a bit lost as to how to solve this problem. Any assistance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


CaptFormal

 

[ideasrule]

Try writing out the conservation of momentum equation of the bullet-block system. Then, write out d (=1.82 m) in terms of the initial speed and the table's height. Solve the system of equations.