# Wood block Momentum problem

1. Nov 15, 2004

### FancyNut

I'm stuck on this problem..

My futile attempt:

the wood block's initial momentum is zero so it's $$m_b v_b = (m_b + m_w) v_f$$

Where $$m_w$$ is the mass of the wooden block. In order to get the bullet's velocity (which is $$v_b$$) I need $$v_f$$ which is the final velocity of both the bullet and the block in this inelastic collision.

So I tried to use kinematics to get that final velocity which is equal to initial velocity from the start of motion (bullet + block) until it comes to rest after moving .05 meters.

$$v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2 x a$$

$$0 = v_i^2 + 2 (.05) a$$

As you can see, I don't know the acceleration... so maybe I should do some force analysis? The problem didn't give the magnitude of force the bullet exerted on the block nor the coefficients for friction so I don't know...

Thanks for any help!

2. Nov 15, 2004

### CartoonKid

You can use the conservation of energy here.

3. Nov 15, 2004

### FancyNut

where? If I use it on the second part, where the bullet is in the block, potential energy doesn't change (distance from ground is the same) but kinetic energy is decreasing... I'm guessing it's transforming into friction/heat/other energy.

If I use it before the bullet hits the block, again, potential energy is not changing... I only have kinetic energy of the bullet just before it hits-- I don't know what to set it equal to so I can solve for velocity.

4. Nov 15, 2004

### CartoonKid

You take
$$\frac{mv^2}{2}=Fd$$
F is the frictional force that stop the block after it travelled 5.0cm
Assuming all the Kinetic Energy has been changed into friction energy in the end.

5. Nov 15, 2004

### daveed

whats the coefficient of friction? there is obviously friction involved, as it is wood on wood. otherwise, it would slide on forever...

6. Nov 15, 2004

### CartoonKid

since you can find F, you can find coefficient of friction because $$COF=\frac{F}{Mg}$$

7. Nov 15, 2004

### Staff: Mentor

information missing

Without the coefficient of friction one cannot solve this problem.

8. Nov 15, 2004

### FancyNut

How did you get that equation? I know you mean kinetic energy equals the friction force but why is the force multiplied by the distance? It makes sense if I think about it (the longer the distance the bigger the force/smaller kinetic energy gets) but I wouldn't know how to derive it myself...

9. Nov 15, 2004

### CartoonKid

The F here is the frictional force. You see, the work done by frictional force is force times distance travelled. However, this question seems to have missing information after I attempted it.

10. Nov 15, 2004

### FancyNut

Hmm I skimmed through my text and found a chart for some friction constants. I tried your formula then and it worked... weird considering just about every other problem that had friction in it, I was given the coefficients... this is www.masteringphysics.com btw.

I think there's another way though. If your formula relied on work (force * distance) then there must be because this is part of HW 9 which just covers momentum/beginning of energy.

11. Nov 16, 2004