Final answer:
To answer the student's physics question, we would apply the conservation of momentum to find the final speed of a steel ball after being struck by a bullet. However, the question seems to contain a typo, as it does not provide the final speed of the bullet. Therefore, further clarification from the student would be required for a precise calculation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is about a physics problem involving the collision of a bullet and a steel ball. When a bullet strikes a steel ball and bounces backward, the final speed of the ball can be determined using the law of conservation of momentum. The problem states that a 25g bullet moving at 650 m/s strikes a 1.2kg steel ball, which afterward moves at 34 m/s. To find the final speed of the ball when the bullet bounces backward, we set up the conservation of momentum equation:
m_bullet * v_bullet_initial + m_ball * v_ball_initial = m_bullet * v_bullet_final + m_ball * v_ball_final
Since the ball is initially at rest, its initial velocity is zero. With this information, we can solve for the final velocity of the ball. The student's question pertains to applying the principles of linear momentum and its conservation in the context of a perfectly elastic collision. However, the original question seems to have a typo in the mass of the bullet or its speed, as no information is given about the final speed of the bullet bouncing backward.