Work-Kinetic Energy Contrasting Newton's Laws?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around applying the work-kinetic energy theorem and Newton's laws to a problem involving a bullet's acceleration in a rifle barrel. The initial calculations for kinetic energy (KE) and net force were incorrect due to a failure to square the velocity, leading to confusion in the results. After correcting the calculations, the final KE was found to be significantly higher, illustrating the bullet's immense acceleration. The average net force was recalculated, confirming the relationship between work, energy, and force in this context. The conversation highlights the importance of accuracy in applying physics equations to avoid errors in understanding motion.
latitude
Messages
54
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement




This is a question that's supposed to prove to us that you can use the work-kinetic energy theorem as a second theory of motion. Except I keep getting different answers when I work it out first w/ KET and second with Newton's Laws. So I'm definitely NOT fulfilling the objective here...

In a rifle barrel, a 15 g bullet is accelerated from rest to a speed of 780 m/s.
a) Find KE, at rest AND when it reaches 780 m/s.
b) Find work done.
c) Barrel = 72 cm long. Find mag. of average net force with Fnet = W/delta'r'cos(theta), where delta'r'cos(theta) is the displacement.
And then you find acceleration w/ Newton's Laws and the net force.

Homework Equations


KE = 1/2mv^2, W = kf - ki, Fnet = ma


The Attempt at a Solution


At initial position, KE = 0
At final speed, KE = 5.85 J

Net force = 5.85 / (0.72m)(1) = 8.125 N (??)

Constant acceleration. This is so wrong... 422500 m/s^2
Using vf^2 = vi^2 + 2a(x)

So my Fnet here = (0.015kg)(422500 m/s^2)...

Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
your KE final is wrong. it should be much bigger than that.
 
Last edited:
D'oh! I totally forgot to square the velocity. Um. Yeah. Now everything works. Thanks...
Bullets have a friggin' huge acceleration! Zowee! Wouldn't want to get hit by one of those!
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top