Question

A 0.07 kg bullet traveling at speed hits a 13.6 kg block of wood and stays in the wood. The block with the bullet imbedded in it moves forward with a velocity of 7.7 m/s. What was the velocity (speed) of the bullet immediately before it hit the block (in m/s)

Answer 1

v = 1503 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

We will use the conservation of momentum to find the bullet's initial speed.

`P_(\rm initial) = P_(\rm final)\\mv_0 = (m+M)v_1\\0.07v_0 = (0.07 + 13.6)(7.7)\\0.07v_0 = (13.67)(7.7)\\v_0 = 1503 m/s`