Question

Calculate the recoil velocity in the horizontal direction, in meters per second, of a 1.25-kg plunger that directly interacts with a 0.0175-kg bullet fired at 585 m/s from the gun. Take the firing direction to be the positive direction.

Answer 1

`v_1=-8.19\ m/s`'

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of the plunger,
`m_1=1.25\ kg`

Mass of the bullet,
`m_2=0.0175\ kg`

Initially both plunger and the bullet are at rest,
`u_1=u_2=0`

Final speed of the bullet,
`v_2=585\ m/s`

Let
`v_1` is the final speed of the plunger. Using the conservation of momentum to find it. The equation is as follows :

`m_1u_1+m_2u_2=m_1v_1+m_2v_2`

Since,
`u_1=u_2=0`

`m_1v_1+m_2v_2=0`

`v_1=-(m_2v_2)/(m_1)`

`v_1=-(0.0175* 585)/(1.25)`

`v_1=-8.19\ m/s`

So, the recoil velocity of the plunger is 8.19 m/s. Hence, this is the required solution.