Final answer:
The question involves calculating the recoil velocity of a plunger in a military rifle, the average force exerted upon it, and comparing this force to that exerted on the gun during bullet acceleration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the M4 Rifle's Recoil Mechanics
When considering the physics behind firearms like the M4 Rifle, recoil mechanisms are key to understanding how the force is managed during firing. For example, when a bullet is fired from a gun, the conservation of momentum must be considered. In problem (a), we are asked to calculate the recoil velocity of a 1.00-kg plunger after a 0.0200-kg bullet is fired at 600 m/s. Using the law of conservation of momentum, we can determine this recoil velocity. In problem (b), we delve into the work-energy principle to find out the average force exerted on this plunger when it is stopped over a distance of 20.0 cm. Finally, in problem (c), we compare this force to the force exerted on the gun using the bullet's acceleration and timing.
It is essential to note while the M4 Rifle's weight without the magazine and sling, and with the sling and loaded 30 round magazine, is not directly covered in this question, it is still contextual to the subject of military rifles and their mechanics.It is a high school-level physics problem focused on the law of conservation of momentum and the work-energy principle.