Inelastic Momentum / Centripetal force problem

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SUMMARY

The problem involves a collision between a bullet and a wooden block, where the bullet embeds itself in the block, causing it to swing on a cord. The block has a mass of 0.8 kg, and the bullet has a mass of 0.012 kg. After the collision, the system rises to a height of 0.8 m, and the tension in the cord is measured at 4.8 N. The initial speed of the bullet, calculated using conservation of momentum and centripetal force equations, is determined to be 330 m/s, although an incorrect calculation yielded 90 m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum
  • Knowledge of centripetal force and acceleration
  • Familiarity with energy conservation principles
  • Ability to apply trigonometric functions in physics problems
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  • Study the application of conservation of energy in pendulum systems
  • Learn about centripetal force calculations in dynamic systems
  • Explore the relationship between tension and gravitational forces in pendulum motion
  • Investigate the effects of angular displacement on centripetal acceleration
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PsychonautQQ
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Homework Statement


A small wooden block with mass .8kg is suspeded from the lower end of a light cord that is 1.6m long. The block is initially at rest. A bullet with mass 12g is fired at the block with a horizontal velocity vi. The bullet strikes the block and becomes embedded in it. After the collision the combined object swings on the end of the cord. When the block has risen a vertical height of .8m, the tension in the cord is 4.8N. What is the initial speed vi of the bullet?


Homework Equations


conservation of energy
conservation of momentum
centripetal acceleration = v^2/r


The Attempt at a Solution



first the simple part...
b subscript = bullet
x subscript = block
v2b = v2x
mbv1b = mbv2b + mxv2x
mbv1b = (mb+mx)v2x
v1b = ((mb+mx)v2x)/mb

Then i set up the centripetal force equation like this:
mx(v2x^2 / r) = T - mx*g*sin∅
sin∅ turns out to be .5

so v2x = ((T-mx*g*.5*r)/mx)^1/2

plugging this number into conservation of momentum i end up getting that the bullet was traveling at 90 m/s, but I'm supposed to get 330 m/s according to a website (which might be wrong but probably isn't).
I probably set up my centriptal force part wrong? help? The website that gives the answer 330 says TSin∅=ma... how could they leave gravity out? and why did they put the sin∅ onto the tension? Doesn't it point in the direction of the centripetal acceleration already?
 
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PsychonautQQ said:

Homework Statement


A small wooden block with mass .8kg is suspeded from the lower end of a light cord that is 1.6m long. The block is initially at rest. A bullet with mass 12g is fired at the block with a horizontal velocity vi. The bullet strikes the block and becomes embedded in it. After the collision the combined object swings on the end of the cord. When the block has risen a vertical height of .8m, the tension in the cord is 4.8N. What is the initial speed vi of the bullet?

Homework Equations


conservation of energy
conservation of momentum
centripetal acceleration = v^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution



first the simple part...
b subscript = bullet
x subscript = block
v2b = v2x
mbv1b = mbv2b + mxv2x
mbv1b = (mb+mx)v2x
v1b = ((mb+mx)v2x)/mb

Then i set up the centripetal force equation like this:
mx(v2x^2 / r) = T - mx*g*sin∅
The equation is only good for when the block is moving with speed ##{v_x}_2##, which is when it's at the bottom — in other words, when ##\theta=90^\circ##. As the pendulum swings up, it slows down. The lefthand side is no longer equal to ##\frac{m_x {v_x}_2^2}{r}## because its speed is no longer ##{v_x}_2##.

Instead of using F=ma here, try using conservation of energy.

so v2x = ((T-mx*g*.5*r)/mx)^1/2

plugging this number into conservation of momentum i end up getting that the bullet was traveling at 90 m/s, but I'm supposed to get 330 m/s according to a website (which might be wrong but probably isn't).
I probably set up my centriptal force part wrong? help? The website that gives the answer 330 says TSin∅=ma... how could they leave gravity out? and why did they put the sin∅ onto the tension? Doesn't it point in the direction of the centripetal acceleration already?
 

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