Speed of person firing gun on ice

  • Thread starter Thread starter mikefitz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gun Ice Speed
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the recoil speeds of a person firing a gun on ice, where friction is negligible. Using the principle of conservation of momentum, the initial momentum (Pi) equals the final momentum (Pf) for both a standard cartridge and a blank cartridge. The standard cartridge fires a 17-g bullet at 250 m/s, while the blank cartridge fires a 0.17-g mass at 57 m/s. The ratio of the recoil speeds, vb/vc, can be determined by applying the conservation of momentum equations for both scenarios and dividing them accordingly.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum principles
  • Basic knowledge of physics related to projectile motion
  • Familiarity with mass and velocity units (grams and meters per second)
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of momentum in closed systems
  • Learn about recoil and its calculations in physics
  • Explore the effects of mass and velocity on momentum
  • Investigate real-world applications of momentum conservation in firearms
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion and recoil in firearms, particularly in low-friction environments.

mikefitz
Messages
155
Reaction score
0
A person is standing on a sheet of ice so slippery that friction may be ignored. This individual fires a gun parallel to the ground. When a standard cartridge is used , a 17-g bullet is shot forward with a speed of 250 m/s, and the person recoils with a speed of vc. When a blank cartridge is used , a mass of 0.17g is shot forward with a speed of 57 m/s , and the recoil speed is vb. Find the ratio vb/vc.

I'm trying to figure out how to apply the conversation of momentum to this problem. I know that Pi = Pf, but in the case of this problem how would I figure out what 'recoil speed' the person experiences? Please help me begin this problem, thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You don't need to find the speeds, only their ratio is required. Use Pi = Pf in both cases, and then divide one equation by the other.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
13
Views
7K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
61K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Replies
7
Views
2K