Final answer:
The work done on the bullet by the wall is calculated using the change in kinetic energy, which is the difference between the initial and final kinetic energies. With the given masses and velocities, the work done comes out to be 3750 Joules.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question is related to Physics, specifically to the concept of work done on an object. In this scenario, a bullet is decelerated by a wall, resulting in a decrease in its kinetic energy.
The work done by the wall on the bullet can be calculated using the work-energy principle, which states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy.
To compute the work done, we can use the following formula:
Work done = Change in kinetic energy
Change in kinetic energy = Final kinetic energy - Initial kinetic energy
Initial kinetic energy = (1/2) ⋅ mass ⋅ (initial velocity)^2
Final kinetic energy = (1/2) ⋅ mass ⋅ (final velocity)^2
For the bullet:
Initial kinetic energy = (1/2) ⋅ 0.050 kg ⋅ (400 m/s)^2
Final kinetic energy = (1/2) ⋅ 0.050 kg ⋅ (100 m/s)^2
Change in kinetic energy = (1/2 ⋅ 0.050 ⋅ (400)^2) - (1/2 ⋅ 0.050 ⋅ (100)^2)
Work done = 0.5 ⋅ 0.050 ⋅ (160000 - 10000)
Work done = 0.025 ⋅ 150000
Work done = 3750 J
Therefore, the wall does 3750 Joules of work on the bullet to decelerate it from 400 m/s to 100 m/s.