SUMMARY
The recoil speed of a rifle firing a bullet can be calculated using the conservation of momentum principle. In this discussion, a rifle with a mass of 4.5 kg fires a bullet weighing 10 g at a muzzle speed of 820 m/s. The correct calculation involves converting the bullet's mass to kilograms, resulting in a recoil speed of 1.8 m/s for the rifle. This demonstrates the importance of unit consistency in physics calculations.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of conservation of momentum
- Basic knowledge of mass and velocity units
- Ability to perform unit conversions (grams to kilograms)
- Familiarity with physics equations related to motion
NEXT STEPS
- Study the conservation of momentum in more complex systems
- Learn about the effects of different bullet masses on recoil speed
- Explore the physics of firearm mechanics and ballistics
- Investigate how muzzle velocity impacts recoil in various firearms
USEFUL FOR
Physics students, firearm enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the mechanics of projectile motion and recoil dynamics.