Question

A 16.0g bullet is shot into a wood block at rest with a mass of 2450 g on a frictionless surface. The block moves 1.2m/s after the bullet strikes and becomes lodged in the block. Find the speed of the bullet before striking the block.

Answer 1

The speed of the bullet before striking the block is 185 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

Mass of bullet = 16.0 g

Mass of wood block = 2450 g

Velocity of block = 1.2 m/s

We need to calculate the speed of the bullet before striking the block

Using equation of conservation of momentum

`P_(i)=P_(f)`

`m_(b)v_(b)=(m_(b)+m_(w))v`

`16.0v=(0.016+2.450)*1.2`

`v=(0.016+2.450)/(0.0160)*1.2`

`v=185\ m/s`

Hence, The speed of the bullet before striking the block is 185 m/s.