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What is the initial speed of the bullet?

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A 30-g bullet is shot horizontally into a 650-g wooden block attached to a spring (k=800 N/m). If the block compresses by 20 cm what is the initial speed of the bullet? (Assume frictionless surface)

asked Jul 16, 2014 in PHYSICS by anonymous

1 Answer

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Given

Mass of the bullet, mb = 30 g = 0.03 kg

Mass of the wooden block, mw = 650 g =0.65 kg

Spring constant, k = 800 N/m

Compressed length of the spring, x = 20 cm = 0.2 m

Calculate the initial speed of the bullet by using the conservation of the energy.

T₁ + V₁ = T₂ +V₂ 

(1/2) mbv12 + 0 = (1/2) mwv22 + 0 +(1/2) k x2

(1/2) (0.03)v12  = (1/2) (0.65) (0) 2 + 0 +(1/2)(800)(0.2)2

(0.03)v12  =(800)(0.2)2

v12  =1066.667

v1=32.66 m/s

Therefore, the initial speed of the bullet is 32.66 m/s

answered Jul 16, 2014 by bradely Mentor

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