Entropy change of a bullet hitting water

In summary, the problem involves calculating the change in entropy when a lead bullet with a mass of 10 grams and a velocity of 500 m/s hits a large volume of water. The bullet and water start at different temperatures (150 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius respectively) and the bullet's kinetic energy is converted to thermal energy upon impact. The exact distribution of this thermal energy between the bullet and water is unclear, but ultimately all of the energy is absorbed by the water and both end up at the same temperature. Since entropy is a state function, the intermediate temperatures are not important to consider.
  • #1
KaiserBrandon
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Homework Statement


Calculate the change in entropy when a lead bullet of mass 10 grams traveling at 500 m/s hits a very large volume of water. Assume that the bullet was initially at 150 degrees Celsius and the water was at 25 degrees Celsius.


Homework Equations


[tex]K=\frac{1}{2}\,{{\it mv}}^{2}[/tex]
[tex]\Delta S={\frac {\delta Q}{T}}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


So I calculated the kinetic energy of the bullet to be 1250J. If the bullet is stopped by the water, that 1250J becomes thermal energy. Now this is where I'm stuck. I'm not exactly sure how to determine how much of that thermal energy is absorbed by the bullet, and how much by the water.
 
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  • #2
KaiserBrandon said:
I'm not exactly sure how to determine how much of that thermal energy is absorbed by the bullet, and how much by the water.

In the end, it's all absorbed by the water, and the bullet also ends up at 25 degrees C. And since entropy is a state function, you don't need to worry about intermediate temperatures. Does this help?
 
  • #3
ok, I wasn't sure if the system was allowed to reach equilibrium or not.
 

FAQ: Entropy change of a bullet hitting water

How does the entropy change when a bullet hits water?

The entropy change when a bullet hits water is an increase in entropy. This is because the bullet's impact causes the water molecules to disperse and become more random, increasing the disorder of the system.

Is the entropy change of a bullet hitting water a reversible process?

No, the entropy change of a bullet hitting water is not a reversible process. This is because the bullet's impact creates irreversible changes in the system, such as the dispersion of water molecules.

Does the speed of the bullet affect the entropy change when it hits water?

Yes, the speed of the bullet does affect the entropy change when it hits water. A higher speed means a greater impact and more dispersion of water molecules, resulting in a larger increase in entropy.

What other factors besides speed can affect the entropy change of a bullet hitting water?

Other factors that can affect the entropy change of a bullet hitting water include the size and shape of the bullet, as well as the temperature and pressure of the water.

How is the entropy change of a bullet hitting water related to the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

The entropy change of a bullet hitting water is related to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase over time. In this case, the bullet's impact on the water causes an increase in entropy, following the Second Law.

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