Motion, Energy balance, momentum question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block of mass resting on a table and its interaction with a bullet that embeds into it, leading to a discussion on momentum and energy conservation. The context includes calculating the height from which an object must fall to achieve a certain speed, considering friction and energy losses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of momentum conservation and energy conservation principles. There are questions about the calculations and potential rounding errors affecting the final answer. Some participants suggest that the original poster may have miscalculated or misinterpreted the problem setup.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and questioning the accuracy of the provided options. Some guidance has been offered regarding potential errors in rounding and assumptions made in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies between calculated results and the provided answer options, indicating a possible error in the problem statement or assumptions regarding rounding. The original poster's calculations are being scrutinized for accuracy.

Raghav Gupta
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Homework Statement


A block of mass m= 10kg rests on a horizontal table. The coefficient of friction between the block and the table is 0.05.
When hit by a bullet of mass 50 g moving with speed v, that gets embedded in it, the block moves and comes to stop after moving a distance of 2m on the table.
If a freely falling object were to acquire speed v/10 after being dropped from height H, then neglecting energy losses and taking g= 10 m/s2, the value of H is close to:
A. 0.2 km
B. 0.3 km
C. 0.4 km
D 0.5. km

Homework Equations


Momentum conservation, energy conservation, Newton laws

The Attempt at a Solution


$$M_{bullet} v = ( m_{block} + M_{bullet} )v_{block} $$ ( momentum conservation)

$$ 1/2 (m_{block} + M_{bullet}) v_{block}^2 = μ (m_{block} + M_{bullet}) g s$$ energy conservation
$$ v_{block}^2 = 2μgs = 2 * 0.05 * 10 * 2 = 2 $$
$$ v_{block} = √2 m/s $$
$$ v = ( m_{block} + M_{bullet} )v_{block}/M_{bullet} ≈ 10000 * √2/50 = 200√2 m/s $$
$$ v/10 = 20√2 $$

Now, ## mgH = 1/2 m (v/10)^2 ##
## ⇒ H = (20√2)^2/2g = 800/20 = 40 m = 0.04 km ##
What wrong I have done here?
It is not matching with options.
 
Last edited:
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What options are there?
I think you rounded off too early.
 
ehild said:
What options are there?
I think you rounded off too early.
0.4 km
0.3 km
0.2 km
0.5 km
But why so error in rounding?
By a factor of 10?
 
It is not rounding error. Your result is correct, the problem maker has error.
 
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