Question

A 15-g bullet moving at 300 m/s passes through a 2.0 cm thick sheet of foam plastic and emerges with a speed of 90 m/s. Let's assume that the speed of the bullet changes takes place uniformly (uniform deceleration). Find the change in momentum of the bullet. Find the time the bullet is in contact with the plastic, Delta t. Find the average force impeded by the bullet's motion through the plastic.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Change in momentum, Δp = mΔv = m(v - u) = (15 * 10-3) * (90 - 300) = -3.15 kg-m2

b) Acceleration of the bullet, a = (v2 - u2) / 2s = (902 - 3002) / (2 * 0.02) = -2047500 m/s2

So, the bullet is in contact with the plastic for the time,
`\bigtriangleupt = ((v - u))/(a) =((90 - 300))/((-2047500)) = 1.03 * 10^(-4) s`

c) Average force,
`F_(avg) =(\bigtriangleup p)/(\bigtriangleup t) =((-3.15))/((1.03 * 10^(-4))) = 30.6 kN`