Question

A 4.67-g bullet is moving horizontally with a velocity of +357 m/s, where the sign + indicates that it is moving to the right (see part a of the drawing). The bullet is approaching two blocks resting on a horizontal frictionless surface. Air resistance is negligible. The bullet passes completely through the first block (an inelastic collision) and embeds itself in the second one, as indicated in part b. Note that both blocks are moving after the collision with the bullet. The mass of the first block is 1177 g, and its velocity is +0.681 m/s after the bullet passes through it. The mass of the second block is 1626 g.

(a) What is the velocity of the second block after the bullet imbeds itself?
(b) Find the ratio of the total kinetic energy after the collision to that before the collision.

Answer 1

(a)0.531m/s

(b)0.00169

Step-by-step explanation:

We are given that

Mass of bullet, m=4.67 g=
`4.67* 10^(-3) kg`

1 kg =1000 g

Speed of bullet, v=357m/s

Mass of block 1,
`m_1=1177g=1.177kg`

Mass of block 2,
`m_2=1626 g=1.626 kg`

Velocity of block 1,
`v_1=0.681m/s`

(a)

Let velocity of the second block after the bullet imbeds itself=v2

Using conservation of momentum

Initial momentum=Final momentum

`mv=m_1v_1+(m+m_2)v_2`

`4.67* 10^(-3)* 357+1.177(0)+1.626(0)=1.177* 0.681+(4.67* 10^(-3)+1.626)v_2`

`1.66719=0.801537+1.63067v_2`

`1.66719-0.801537=1.63067v_2`

`0.865653=1.63067v_2`

`v_2=(0.865653)/(1.63067)`

`v_2=0.531m/s`

Hence, the velocity of the second block after the bullet imbeds itself=0.531m/s

(b)Initial kinetic energy before collision

`K_i=(1)/(2)mv^2`

`k_i=(1)/(2)(4.67* 10^(-3)* (357)^2)`

`k_i=297.59 J`

Final kinetic energy after collision

`K_f=(1)/(2)m_1v^2_1+(1)/(2)(m+m_2)v^2_2`

`K_f=(1)/(2)(1.177)(0.681)^2+(1)/(2)(4.67* 10^(-3)+1.626)(0.531)^2`

`K_f=0.5028 J`

Now, he ratio of the total kinetic energy after the collision to that before the collision

=
`(k_f)/(k_i)=(0.5028)/(297.59)`

=0.00169