What is the Velocity of a Bullet Reflected by a Plane Mirror?

MV/mIn summary, a gun of mass 'M' fires a bullet of mass 'm' with a horizontal velocity 'v'. The gun is fitted with a plane mirror facing towards the receding bullet. By applying the law of conservation of momentum, the relative velocity of the bullet to the image is found to be 2v(m/M + 1). However, the solution provided may contain errors and lacks rigor.
  • #1
DriggyBoy
19
0
A gun of mass 'M' fires a bullet of mass 'm' with a horizontal velocity 'v'. The gun is fitted with a plane mirror facing towards the receding bullet. Find the velocity relative to its image just after the gun is fired.
 
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  • #2
The above is simply the problem statement. What are your thoughts on the problem? Where do you get stuck?
 
  • #3
Cannot proceed much...law of conservation of momentum needs to be applied i guess
 
  • #4
DriggyBoy said:
Cannot proceed much...law of conservation of momentum needs to be applied i guess

So apply it and show what you get.
 
  • #5
I have solved but not sure if its correct. I have considered the velocity of the gun to be M. Now by conservation of linear mmntum, mv=MV...therefore V = mv/M
relative velocity wrt gun = v + V = mv/V + v = (m/M + 1)v
Therefore relative vel wrt image = 2*v(m/M + 1) = 2v(m/M + 1) [ since image dist = objct dist for plane mirror ]
Not sure...just check it...thanks in advance :)
 
  • #6
That's the general idea, but you would lose marks for lack of rigor (and multiple typos!).

mv = -MV
 

Related to What is the Velocity of a Bullet Reflected by a Plane Mirror?

1. What is reflection of light?

Reflection of light is the phenomenon where light bounces off a surface and changes direction. This can happen with all types of light, including visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet.

2. What is the law of reflection?

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence (the angle at which the light hits the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle at which the light bounces off the surface). This law applies to all types of light and all types of surfaces.

3. How does the angle of incidence affect the angle of reflection?

The angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are always equal, regardless of the type of surface. This means that if the angle of incidence is increased, the angle of reflection will also increase.

4. What is the difference between regular and diffuse reflection?

Regular reflection occurs when light bounces off a smooth and flat surface, such as a mirror. The light rays remain parallel and the image is clear. Diffuse reflection occurs when light bounces off a rough surface, such as paper or fabric. The light scatters in different directions, resulting in a blurred or diffused image.

5. How is reflection of light used in everyday life?

Reflection of light is used in various applications, such as in mirrors, lenses, and reflective surfaces. It is also used in optical devices such as telescopes, microscopes, and cameras. In addition, reflection is used in many industries, including telecommunications, automotive, and construction.

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