How Does Bullet Velocity Change After Passing Through Different Block Widths?

In summary: perhaps the bullet was moving faster than the initial velocity when it passed through the second block?
  • #1
Verrine
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Homework Statement



A bullet goes through a block and covers a distance D with a velocity of V0=200m/s. Calculate the velocity that the same bullet has AFTER passing through another block of the same material but which has half the width of the initial block.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
Verrine said:

Homework Statement



A bullet goes through a block and covers a distance D with a velocity of V0=200m/s. Calculate the velocity that the same bullet has AFTER passing through another block of the same material but which has half the width of the initial block.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


You have to make an attempt at solving this problem yourself. It is your homework, after all! That said, are you sure that's all the information you have?
 
  • #3
PeroK said:
You have to make an attempt at solving this problem yourself. It is your homework, after all! That said, are you sure that's all the information you have?
Ok sure. I have an attempt, the problem is that my answer doesn't coincide with the answer in the textbook.
For the first block I used the fact that the variation of kinetic energy is equal with the work force, so: 0-m*V0^2/2 =Fr *d => Fr=m*V0^2/2d
For the second block: mV^2/2 - mV0^2/2= Fr * d/2, so V=244 m/s
But the answer is wrong ;(. And yes, this is all they give me.
 
  • #4
Verrine said:
Ok sure. I have an attempt, the problem is that my answer doesn't coincide with the answer in the textbook.
For the first block I used the fact that the variation of kinetic energy is equal with the work force, so: 0-m*V0^2/2 =Fr *d => Fr=m*V0^2/2d
For the second block: mV^2/2 - mV0^2/2= Fr * d/2, so V=244 m/s
But the answer is wrong ;(. And yes, this is all they give me.

Is ##D## the thickness of the block?

Are you to assume that the bullet goes through the second block after the first? Or, that it goes through the second block in a separate experiment?

Where did you get the final velocity of ##0## from?

I'm not sure I follow your calculations, but you seem to have the bullet speeding up as a result of going through the second block!?
 
  • #5
PeroK said:
Is ##D## the thickness of the block?

Are you to assume that the bullet goes through the second block after the first? Or, that it goes through the second block in a separate experiment?

Where did you get the final velocity of ##0## from?

I'm not sure I follow your calculations, but you seem to have the bullet speeding up as a result of going through the second block!?

It goes through the second block in a separate experiment. To be sincere, I don't know myself what D actually stands for. What they say is that the bullet passes through the first block and it covers a certain distance, which is D. I also saw the D as the thickness of the block, but I am not entirely sure if that is also how they see it :(. Sorry

For the calculus: we had mV^2/2 - mV0^2/2=Fr*d/2 => mV^2/2=mV0^2/2 + mV0^2/2 * d/2 => V^2=6V0^2 /4 => v=244 m/s

Also about the 0 velocity, I thought that after the bullet covers that distance, it stops, so the energy is 0.
 
  • #6
perhaps you should post the question as the books state it.
 
  • #7
gleem said:
perhaps you should post the question as the books state it.

The book is not in English. I had to translate it. But trust me, this is what it says.
 
  • #8
Verrine said:
The book is not in English. I had to translate it. But trust me, this is what it says.

What's the answer? We might then work out what the question is!

My guess is ##141m/s##.
 
  • #9
PeroK said:
What's the answer? We might then work out what the question is!

My guess is ##141m/s##.
Yes! This is the answer! Can you please explain how you did it? :D
 
  • #10
Verrine said:
Yes! This is the answer! Can you please explain how you did it? :D

Here's the question:

A bullet with an initial velocity of ##200m/s## is fired into a block and stops after a distance ##D##. If the same bullet is fired into a block of thickness ##D/2##, how fast is the bullet moving when it leaves the block?
 
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  • #11
Verrine said:
It goes through the second block in a separate experiment. To be sincere, I don't know myself what D actually stands for. What they say is that the bullet passes through the first block and it covers a certain distance, which is D. I also saw the D as the thickness of the block, but I am not entirely sure if that is also how they see it :(. Sorry

For the calculus: we had mV^2/2 - mV0^2/2=Fr*d/2 => mV^2/2=mV0^2/2 + mV0^2/2 * d/2 => V^2=6V0^2 /4 => v=244 m/s

You need to think about why you got a final velocity greater than the initial velocity here.
 
  • #12
PeroK said:
You need to think about why you got a final velocity greater than the initial velocity here.

I simply tried to solve the equations with what formulas I knew... I actually have no idea what is going on here. The problem is confusing and I don't really see the connection between the velocity of the bullet and the thickness of the block. Sorry. If you could explain it step by step, I would be really grateful.
 
  • #13
Verrine said:
I simply tried to solve the equations with what formulas I knew... I actually have no idea what is going on here. The problem is confusing and I don't really see the connection between the velocity of the bullet and the thickness of the block. Sorry. If you could explain it step by step, I would be really grateful.

There are two ways to solve this. The better way is to look at the energy. Do you know about Kinetic Energy and the Work done by a Force?

If not, then you can also use the equations of motion.
 
  • #14
PeroK said:
There are two ways to solve this. The better way is to look at the energy. Do you know about Kinetic Energy and the Work done by a Force?

If not, then you can also use the equations of motion.
Yes, I know about Kinetic energy and work.
 
  • #15
Verrine said:
Yes, I know about Kinetic energy and work.

What's the initial KE of the bullet? And what force does work to stop it in this case?
 
  • #16
PeroK said:
What's the initial KE of the bullet? And what force does work to stop it in this case?
I think I got it. If I do mv^2/2 -mv0^2/2=Fr*d/2, then mv^2/2 =mv0^2/4. So v=v0 /rad 2 =v0*rad2 /2 =141m/s :):) Thank you . :D
 
  • #17
You might like to know where you went wrong initially.
Verrine said:
For the second block: mV^2/2 - mV0^2/2= Fr * d/2
Think about the signs there. Should V be more or less than V0? Will it gain or lose KE?
 
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FAQ: How Does Bullet Velocity Change After Passing Through Different Block Widths?

1. How does a bullet go through a block?

A bullet goes through a block due to the force of impact. When a bullet is fired from a gun, it has a high velocity and a small surface area, which allows it to penetrate through the block.

2. What factors affect the penetration of a bullet through a block?

The factors that affect the penetration of a bullet through a block include the velocity and mass of the bullet, the density and composition of the block, and the angle at which the bullet hits the block.

3. Can a bullet go through any type of block?

No, a bullet cannot go through any type of block. Some factors that determine whether a bullet can penetrate a block include the bullet's velocity and mass, the block's density and composition, and the angle of impact. Different combinations of these factors can result in varying levels of penetration.

4. How does the shape of a bullet affect its ability to go through a block?

The shape of a bullet can affect its ability to go through a block. A pointed or tapered bullet has a higher chance of penetrating through a block compared to a flat or blunt bullet. This is because the pointed shape reduces the surface area of the bullet, allowing it to penetrate with less resistance.

5. Is it possible for a bullet to go through multiple blocks?

Yes, it is possible for a bullet to go through multiple blocks. The number of blocks a bullet can penetrate depends on its velocity and mass, as well as the density and composition of the blocks. In some cases, a bullet may even go through several layers of blocks before stopping.

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