Momentum conservation (ballistic pendulum)

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the original velocity of a bullet fired into a block and determining the energy loss during the collision. The bullet's kinetic energy after exiting is calculated to be 200 Joules, while the gravitational potential energy of the block after being struck is 2.353 Joules. The total energy transferred from the bullet to the block is 202.353 Joules. Using momentum conservation principles, the original bullet velocity is found to be approximately 437.6 m/s. The calculations illustrate the relationship between kinetic and potential energy in the context of momentum conservation.
jakec
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Homework Statement


A .01kg bullet is fired into a 1.2kg block hanging from a 1m wire. The bullet exits the block with a speed of 200m/s and the block swings to a height of .2 meters. What is the original velocity of the bullet? What percentage of the original energy of the bullet is no longer in mechanical forms of energy?

Homework Equations


I know that initial momentum = final momentum but I can't seem to find the velocity of the block after the collision.

The Attempt at a Solution


I had this on a test and tried energy conservation. Obviously this isn't correct but I can't find the momentum of the block. I've been working this for about 5 hours now so I'm clearly not getting something so a step by step explanation would be great.
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GPE of block = (mgh) = (1.2 x 9.8 x 0.2m) = 2.353 Joules. This has resulted from KE of the bullet having swung the block.
The bullet exited the block. Its KE after exit = 1/2 (m*v^2) = 1/2 (0.01*200^2) = 200 Joules.
The total energy has come from the bullet, = (200 + 2.353) = 202.353 Joules.
Original bullet V = sqrt.(2KE/m) = sqrt.(404.706/0.01) = 201.2 m/sec.
 
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jakec said:
GPE of block = (mgh) = (1.2 x 9.8 x 0.2m) = 2.353 Joules.
That's the energy of the block after the bullet has passed through it. Use this to determine the speed of the block.
 
Ok, so this is what I ended up with:

mgh = 1/2mv2
v=sqrt(2gh) = 1.98m/s

Pi = Pf
mpvpi = mbvb + mpvpf
vpi = (mbvb + mpvpf) / mp
vpi = 437.6 m/s

Thanks for the help!
 
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