Bullet and target- conservation of momentum and energy

In summary: Part of the energy goes into deforming it, some goes into tearing a hole in it, some goes into heat, some ends up as KE of the target just after the collision, etc.
  • #1
Lolagoeslala
217
0

Homework Statement


A man aims his gun vertically and shoots a 0.245 kg target, which is positioned on a telephone pole. The bullet has a mass of 0.055 kg and is traveling at a velocity of 850 m/s upwards just before it hits the target. The bullet passes through the target, emerging with a velocity of 395 m/s upwards. How high does the target rise after being hit by the bullet?


The Attempt at a Solution



m1v1+m2v2 = m1v1`+m2v2`
(0.055kgx850m/s) = (0.055kgx395m/s) + (0.245kgxv2`)
46.75kgm/s=21.725kgm/s + (0.245kg)(v2`)
102.1428571m/s = v2`

but now what should i do i just found the speed at which the target will be moving at.. so should i use the conservation of energy like this

1/2mv2^2 = 1/2mv2`^2 + mgh
1/2(0.245kg)(102.1428571m/s)^2 = 1/2(0.245kg)(0)^2 + (0.245kg)(9.8m/s^2)(h)
1278.062499 J = (2.401 kgm/s^2)(h)
532.3042478 m = h
 
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  • #2
You can check your answer by solving the problem in a different way. Ask yourself:
1) how much energy is transferred from the bullet to the target? Conservation of energy helps here.
2) how high will that much energy carry the target? Again, conservation of energy will tell you, because the maximum height is reached when there's no kinetic energy left, just potential.
 
  • #3
Nugatory said:
You can check your answer by solving the problem in a different way. Ask yourself:
1) how much energy is transferred from the bullet to the target? Conservation of energy helps here.
2) how high will that much energy carry the target? Again, conservation of energy will tell you, because the maximum height is reached when there's no kinetic energy left, just potential.

How would u solve the first question??
 
  • #4
IS THIS RIGHT ANYONE?? :confused:
 
  • #5
Lolagoeslala said:
IS THIS RIGHT ANYONE?? :confused:

Your work looks very good to me.
 
  • #6
TSny said:
Your work looks very good to me.

Oh thankx :approve:
But is there a way i can confirm the solution..?
 
  • #7
Lolagoeslala said:
How would u solve the first question??

Well, you know the velocity of the bullet before it hit the target, and you can use that to calculate the kinetic energy of the bullet before it hit the target.

You know the velocity of the bullet after it hit the target, so you also know the kinetic energy of the bullet after it hit the target.

The difference between the two is the energy transferred to the target.
 
  • #8
Nugatory said:
Well, you know the velocity of the bullet before it hit the target, and you can use that to calculate the kinetic energy of the bullet before it hit the target.

You know the velocity of the bullet after it hit the target, so you also know the kinetic energy of the bullet after it hit the target.

The difference between the two is the energy transferred to the target.

so is this what you are trying to say..

ET1- Wf = ET2
19868.75 J - Wf = 4290.6875 J
15578.06 = Wf
 
  • #9
Lolagoeslala said:
ET1- Wf = ET2
19868.75 J - Wf = 4290.6875 J
15578.06 = Wf
Just be careful with how you interpret what type(s) of energy Wf represents.
 
  • #10
TSny said:
Just be careful with how you interpret what type(s) of energy Wf represents.

its the energy that is used to deform the target!
 
  • #11
Lolagoeslala said:
its the energy that is used to deform the target!

Part of the energy goes into deforming it, some goes into tearing a hole in it, some goes into heat, some ends up as KE of the target just after the collision, etc.
 

FAQ: Bullet and target- conservation of momentum and energy

1. What is the principle of conservation of momentum?

The principle of conservation of momentum states that in a closed system, the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event. This means that the total amount of momentum in a system remains constant, regardless of any internal or external forces acting on it.

2. How does the conservation of momentum apply to a bullet and target scenario?

In a bullet and target scenario, the bullet and target are considered a closed system. This means that the total momentum of the bullet and target before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. As the bullet collides with the target, the momentum of the bullet is transferred to the target, causing it to move.

3. What is the relationship between momentum and mass in the conservation of momentum principle?

According to the conservation of momentum principle, the total momentum of a system remains constant. This means that as mass increases, momentum also increases. In the bullet and target scenario, the bullet has a smaller mass compared to the target, but its velocity is much greater, resulting in an equal amount of momentum before and after the collision.

4. How does the conservation of energy apply to a bullet and target scenario?

The conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or converted from one form to another. In the bullet and target scenario, the kinetic energy of the bullet is transferred to the target upon impact, causing it to move. The total energy of the system (bullet + target) remains constant before and after the collision.

5. Can the conservation of momentum and energy be applied to all scenarios?

The conservation of momentum and energy can be applied to most scenarios, as long as the system is closed and no external forces are acting on it. However, there may be some exceptions where other factors, such as friction or air resistance, need to be taken into account.

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