Question

To determine the muzzle velocity of a bullet fired from a rifle, you shoot the 2.47-g bullet into a 2.43-kg wooden block. The block is suspended by wires from the ceiling and is initially at rest. After the bullet is embedded in the block, the block swings up to a maximum height of 0.295 cm above its initial position. What is the velocity of the bullet on leaving the gun's barrel

Answer 1

The velocity of the bullet on leaving the gun's barrel is 236.36 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of the bullet, m₁ = 2.47 g = 0.00247 kg

mass of the wooden block, m₂ = 2.43 kg

initial velocity of the wooden block, u₂ = 0

height reached by the bullet-block system after collision = 0.295 cm = 0.00295 m

let the initial velocity of the bullet on leaving the gun's barrel = v₁

let final velocity of the bullet-wooden block system after collision = v₂

Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum;

Total initial momentum = Total final momentum

m₁v₁ + m₂u₂ = v₂(m₁ + m₂)

0.00247v₁ + 2.43 x 0 = v₂(2.43 + 0.00247)

0.00247v₁ = 2.4325v₂ -------(1)

The kinetic energy of the bullet-block system after collision;

K.E = ¹/₂(m₁ + m₂)v₂²

K.E = ¹/₂ (2.4325)v₂²

The potential energy of the bullet-block system after collision;

P.E = mgh

P.E = (2.4325)(9.8)(0.00295)

P.E = 0.07032

Apply the principle of conservation of mechanical energy;

K.E = P.E

¹/₂ (2.4325)v₂² = 0.07032

1.21625 v₂² = 0.07032

v₂² = 0.07032 / 1.21625

v₂² = 0.0578

v₂ = √0.0578

v₂ = 0.24 m/s

Substitute v₂ in equation (1), to obtain the initial velocity of the bullet;

0.00247v₁ = 2.4325v₂

0.00247v₁ = 2.4325 (0.24)

0.00247v₁ = 0.5838

v₁ = 0.5838 / 0.00247

v₁ = 236.36 m/s

Therefore, the velocity of the bullet on leaving the gun's barrel is 236.36 m/s.