Solving Gun Shot Question: Average Horizontal Force Applied to Gun

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To determine the average horizontal force applied to the gun when a 50 g bullet exits at 500 m/s, the average acceleration must first be calculated by dividing the velocity by the time taken, resulting in approximately 166,667 m/s². Using Newton's second law, the average force can be found by multiplying the mass (converted to kilograms) by the average acceleration. This leads to an average force of 8.33 kN. The discussion emphasizes the importance of unit conversion and the correct application of the formula F = ma. Understanding these calculations is crucial for solving similar physics problems effectively.
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Homework Statement


A rifle is held rigidly by a supporting test frame. When fired horizontallly, a 50 g bullet attains a muzzle exit velocity of 500 m/s if it takes 0.003 s for the bullet to travel the length of the barrel, determine the average horizontal force applied to the gun by the test frame during firing.



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The Attempt at a Solution



I know that the answer is 8.33 kN but I do not know how to solve it.
I think that we evaluate the forces on the x axis, there are no forces on the y-axis but
i am not sure, any help?
 
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madahmad1 said:
I know that the answer is 8.33 kN

Hint: 8330 is half of 50/.003.
 
lol, so i multiply 50/0.3 by a half? Thanks for the help but can you tell me what steps i should take, i really do not get this problem.
 
F = ma

With what you're given, how can you find the acceleration?

You have the mass, but you have to change it's units so you can get the force in Newtons (N).
 
(i must admit i think it's a badly-worded question, and i don't really understand the mechanical set-up :frown: … but what they obviously want is …)

ok … Newton's second law …
force = mass times acceleration​
so …
average force = mass times average acceleration …​

and average acceleration is … ? :smile:
 
In order to find the average force we need to know the average acceleration,to find the average acceleration we divide 500/0.003, which is velocity divided by time. This comes out to be 166666.667., then we multuply by 50, correct? I`m sorry if i am wrong but I am really trying to answer this based on the help you are giving me, do we find average acceleration by a different method?
 
madahmad1 said:
In order to find the average force we need to know the average acceleration,to find the average acceleration we divide 500/0.003, which is velocity divided by time. This comes out to be 166666.667., then we multuply by 50, correct?

No … 1 N = 1 kg m /s² … so we multiply by 0.05. :smile:
 
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