Number of collisions by a bullet

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the number of collisions a bullet experiences when it hits a series of wooden blocks, with each collision resulting in a 10% reduction of its speed. Participants are exploring the implications of this speed reduction and the conditions under which the bullet may come to rest.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the mechanics of speed reduction per collision and whether the speed loss applies to the bullet's initial speed or its speed after each collision. Questions arise regarding the physical rationale behind the fixed percentage loss and the implications of varying distances between blocks.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants questioning the assumptions in the problem statement and exploring different interpretations of how speed loss is applied. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to consider the underlying physics, such as Newton's second law, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem lacks specific values for distance or initial velocity, which may affect their calculations and understanding of the scenario. There is also uncertainty about whether the speed reduction applies uniformly across all collisions or only to the first one.

NODARman
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Homework Statement
I'm trying to calculate collision number.
Relevant Equations
.
How to find the collision number if the moving bullet hits a few wooden blocks and every collision takes 10 percent of its speed. In which block will the bullet stay?
 
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NODARman said:
Homework Statement:: I'm trying to calculate collision number.
Relevant Equations:: .

How to find the collision number if the moving bullet hits a few wooden blocks and every collision takes 10 percent of its speed. In which block will the bullet stay?
Why would a wooden block reduce a projectile's spped by a fixed percentage? Would something hitting the block at ##1 \ m/s## emerge at ##0.9 \ m/s##?
 
IDK. That physics task in the book says that the speed of a bullet decreases by 10% after hitting every block. Every block has the same length. The task doesn't contain L, V, or K. There is only a 10% of speed loss. I've just written the formula:
Vn=Vn-1-(Vn-1/10)
I think this formula works in general, but I don't need it here.
 
NODARman said:
IDK. That physics task in the book says that the speed of a bullet decreases by 10% after hitting every block. Every block has the same length. The task doesn't contain L, V, or K. There is only a 10% of speed loss. I've just written the formula:
Vn=Vn-1-(Vn-1/10)
I think this formula works in general, but I don't need it here.
That might take a lot of blocks! Are you sure the book doesn't say that it loses 10% of its speed going through the first block? Not every block?
 
Yeah, yeah, the first block. I forgot to say that because I don't really understand what it means (and also how to solve it).
Thanks.
 
NODARman said:
Yeah, yeah, the first block. I forgot to say that because I don't really understand what it means (and also how to solve it).
Thanks.
What do you think might be the constant factor in each collision?
 
"The bullet is hitting a few wooden blocks which are placed at a different distance from each other. In which block will the bullet stick if after exiting the first block, it loses 10% of its initial speed."
(I've translated as I could)

So, if after the fist hit the bullet lost 10% of its initial speed, it means the V1=V0-(V0/10) (this will be the second speed of the bullet which will hit the second block). Is that mean that every hit reduces the speed by 10% of V0 and not Vn=Vn-1-(Vn-1/10).

If we put the numbers in the first case, then the speed would be, let's say: 100, 90, 80, 70, etc.
The second case: 100, 90, 81, 78, etc.
 
NODARman said:
"The bullet is hitting a few wooden blocks which are placed at a different distance from each other. In which block will the bullet stick if after exiting the first block, it loses 10% of its initial speed."
(I've translated as I could)

So, if after the fist hit the bullet lost 10% of its initial speed, it means the V1=V0-(V0/10) (this will be the second speed of the bullet which will hit the second block). Is that mean that every hit reduces the speed by 10% of V0 and not Vn=Vn-(Vn/10).

If we put the numbers in the first case, then the speed would be, let's say: 100, 90, 80, 70, etc.
The second case: 100, 90, 81, 78, etc.
This is not the correct method. You must consider why it loses speed. What causes the bullet to lose speed? Hint Newton's second law.
 
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