Need to find the net force and the average force .

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a bullet striking a stationary block of wood, where participants are tasked with finding the net force and average force acting on the bullet during its penetration into the wood. The subject area includes concepts from mechanics, specifically relating to forces, acceleration, and energy conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various equations to find acceleration and force, including the work-kinetic energy theorem and kinematic equations. There are attempts to calculate average force and questions about the relationship between forces exerted by the bullet and the wood.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning the validity of their approaches. Some have provided numerical results for net force and average force, while others express confusion about the methods and assumptions being used. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of applying momentum concepts due to the fixed nature of the block and discuss the implications of energy loss in the form of heat and mechanical work done on the wood. There are mentions of potential missing information that could affect the calculations.

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Need to find the net force and the average force...

1. Homework Statement

A bullet of mass 12 g strikes a stationary fixed block of wood at a speed of 400m/s, penetrating to a depth of 3.0cm. Calculate the average net force acting on the bullet while it is in the wood. Calculate the average force exerted on the wood by the bullet.

2. Homework Equations
Fnet= m x a
W=1/2mv^2

3. The Attempt at a Solution
I found the force net using the kinetic energy and work equation. I don't really know how to find the average force.
 
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wow, someone please help I have a bunch of similar question and I need help!
 


Try using this equation: 2ax = (vf)^2 - (vi)^2.
Find the acceleration.
Use Newton's second law to calculate force.
This is the only possible solution I can see.

Note: use above equation only if a is constant.
I like your approach using work-kinetic energy theorem.
One point: the force exerted on the wood by the bullet isn't the same force exerted by the wood on the bullet with opposite direction? (3rd Newton's Law)
 
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So would the acceleration be 6666.5m/s^2
 


That would be possible only if the acceleration is constant. I suppose it isn't, so the work-kinetic energy theorem seems to be the only option.
 


Fnet is equal to 79.998 N. for part b it wants me to find force average. when i think of force average I think of momentum. but i don't have enough information to find force average using momentum. Do you know any other equations?
 


Woah what. :S Ok you said to use the 2ax = (vf)^2 - (vi)^2. and I got 6666.5 m/s^2. is it wrong? does that mean I have to go back to my original idea? Now I am beyond confused.
 


Mmmm... I have just tried to solve this problem using the equation of kinematics I gave and the work-kinetic energy theorem and both gave me that the average force is 32000 N. Do you know what is the correct answer (from the textbook, if you took the problem from one)?

About using momentum, you must have a function that describes how it changes over time, in order to derivate it and find force. Then, you will need to integrate the force and divide it by the time interval. Unfortunately, I see no way of doing this for this kind of exercise.
 


Momentum wouldn't apply because the block is fixed. It seems like it's just an equal opposite thing. There is of course heat generated but I don't see how that could be calculated from the info given.
 
  • #10


The heat would be all the kinetic energy lost (neglecting sound) when the bullet comes to rest.
 
  • #11


You have mechanical work done in ripping the wood I would think as well as heat but I don't see how it would change the answer.
 
  • #12


also the bullet may be flattened. but regardless, you only start with a certain amount of energy available and force ab is - Fba
 
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