Extremely Hard Conservation of Momentum Problem

In summary, to find the velocity of the bullet before the collision, you can use conservation of momentum and conservation of energy. In the first phase, the bullet strikes the block and an inelastic collision occurs. Then, the ensemble mass pushes against the spring and converts its kinetic energy to potential energy. The final velocity can be found using conservation of energy.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


A 0.750kg block of wood is attatched to a spring with k = 300N/m. A 0.0030kg bullet is fired into the block, and the spring is compressed 0.102m.
Calculate the velocity of the bullet before the collision.
Is this elastic or inelastic?


Homework Equations


How do you do it?


The Attempt at a Solution


I attempted using conservation of momentum, but no v1(prime), v2, v2(prime).
I hesitated to use conservation of energy.
 
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  • #2
Conservation of energy is fine after the bullet is embedded in the block. Consider the various phases of the problem: in the first phase, the bullet travels at some speed and strikes the block. An inelastic collision ensues, giving the ensemble mass some initial velocity. Conservation of momentum will help there. Then the ensemble pushes against the spring, converting its KE to PE in the spring. Conservation of energy will help there.
 

FAQ: Extremely Hard Conservation of Momentum Problem

What is conservation of momentum?

Conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the total momentum of a closed system remains constant over time, regardless of any internal changes or external forces acting on the system. In other words, the total amount of momentum before an event must equal the total amount of momentum after the event.

How is momentum conserved in an extremely hard problem?

In an extremely hard conservation of momentum problem, the difficulty usually lies in the complexity of the system involved. This could include multiple objects with different masses and velocities, or objects with non-uniform shapes and trajectories. Regardless of the complexity, momentum is still conserved in these problems by following the same principles of conservation of momentum as in simpler problems.

What are some real-life examples of extremely hard conservation of momentum problems?

One example could be the collision of two satellites in orbit around Earth, where the masses and velocities of the satellites can vary greatly and the problem must account for the conservation of momentum of the entire system. Another example could be the collision of subatomic particles in a particle accelerator, where the conservation of momentum must be precisely calculated in order to produce accurate results.

How do you approach solving an extremely hard conservation of momentum problem?

The key to solving an extremely hard conservation of momentum problem is to first identify and isolate the system in question. This means considering all the objects involved and any external forces acting on the system. Then, the principle of conservation of momentum can be applied to write down equations and solve for the unknown quantities using algebra and other mathematical techniques.

What are some challenges associated with solving extremely hard conservation of momentum problems?

Some challenges with these types of problems may include accurately identifying and accounting for all the objects and forces involved in the system, as well as dealing with complex equations and calculations. The physical properties of the objects, such as their masses and velocities, may also need to be determined beforehand, which can be a challenging task in itself.

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