Inelastic collision: finding initial velocity of projectile

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the initial velocity of a bullet in an inelastic collision experiment involving a bullet and a wooden block. Given a bullet mass of 0.05 kg and a wooden block mass of 2 kg, the system rises to a height of 0.5 meters post-collision. The calculated initial speed of the bullet is definitively 29.17 m/s, derived using principles of conservation of energy and kinematics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of inelastic collisions
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE) equations
  • Knowledge of conservation of energy principles
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of momentum in inelastic collisions
  • Learn how to derive equations for projectile motion
  • Explore the relationship between height and potential energy in physics
  • Investigate real-world applications of ballistic calculations
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Students in physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of projectile motion and energy conservation in collisions.

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Homework Statement


One way to measure the muzzle velocity of a bullet is to fire it horizontally inot a massive block of wood hanging from a string an d measure the height to which the wood (containing the bullet) rises.
in one experiment the bullet had a mass of .05kg, and the wood has a mass of 2kg. After the shot, the wood and bullet rose to a height of .5 meteres. what was the original speed of the bullet?

Homework Equations



d=(vf2-vi2)/2a
KE=1/2Mv2
change of ENERGYsystem=constant
PEi +KEi=PEf + KEf
PE=Mgh

The Attempt at a Solution


i ended up with 29.17 m/s for the original speed
 
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Could you show your work please?
 

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