Final answer:
The change in momentum of the bullet, after passing through the watermelon and accounting for the change in speed, is 2.64 kg·m/s. This is calculated by taking the difference between the initial and final momentum of the bullet.
The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The change in momentum of the bullet is the difference between its final momentum and its initial momentum. This can be calculated using the formula for momentum, p = mv, where m is mass and v is velocity. Since the mass of the bullet remains constant, the change in momentum only depends on the change in velocity.
The initial momentum of the bullet is given by its initial mass and velocity: pinitial = 0.024 kg × 217 m/s. The final momentum is the mass times the final velocity: pfinal = 0.024 kg × 107 m/s. The change in momentum (Δp) is pfinal - pinitial.
The calculation is as follows:
Initial momentum pinitial = 0.024 kg × 217 m/s = 5.208 kg·m/s
Final momentum pfinal = 0.024 kg × 107 m/s = 2.568 kg·m/s
Change in momentum Δp = pfinal - pinitial = 2.568 kg·m/s - 5.208 kg·m/s = -2.64 kg·m/s
The negative sign indicates the bullet has lost momentum, but since the question asks for the magnitude of the change in momentum, the answer is 2.64 kg·m/s.
The correct option is B.