Question

P5. A bullet with an initial velocity of 280 m/s in the x-direction penetrates an initially stationary block of mass 11 kg and emerges on the other side with a final velocity of 70 m/s in the x-direction. The velocity of the block after the collision is 0.2 m/s, also in the x-direction. Assume the block slides on a horizontal frictionless surface. What is the mass of the bullet

Answer 1

the mass of the bullet is 10.5 g

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

initial velocity, u₁ = 280 m/s

final velocity of the bullet, v₁ = 70 m/s

final velocity of the block, v₂ = 0.2 m/s

mass of the block, m₂ = 11 kg

initial velocity of the block, u₂ = 0

let the mass of the bullet = m₁

Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum for elastic collision to calculate the mass of the bullet.

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂

280m₁ + 11(0) = 70m₁ + 11 x 0.2

280m₁ = 70m₁ + 2.2

280m₁ - 70m₁ = 2.2

210m₁ = 2.2

m₁ = 2.2/210

m₁ = 0.0105 kg

m₁ = 10.5 g

Therefore, the mass of the bullet is 10.5 g