A 0.01 kg bullet is shot at a 1.00 kg block of wood. The block of wood is on a horizontal frictionless surface. As viewed from above, the bullet has an initial velocity v1 in the positive x-direction. The block of wood has an initial velocity v2 in the positive y-direction. The bullet gets stuck in the block of wood when it hits. After the collision, the block and bullet together are observed to move as shown in the diagram:
A 0.01 kg bullet is shot at a 1.00 kg block of wood. The block of wood is on a horizontal frictionless
surface.
As viewed from above, the bullet has an initial velocity v1 in the positive x-direction. The block of
wood has an initial velocity v2 in the positive y-direction.
The bullet gets stuck in the block of wood when it hits.
After the collision, the block and bullet together are observed
to move as shown in the diagram:
a) What were the initial velocities of the bullet and block of wood?
This problem should be solved using...
- What is the system?
- Are there external forces?
- Diagram before/after
- Calculations before/after
- What stays the same?
- Solve!
Since this problem is in 2D, write step 4 using
Please write your final answers to two decimal places.
b) Suppose the bullet bounced backwards when it hit the wood, instead of getting stuck. Would the
speed of the wood after the collision be faster or slower than 2 m/s? Or would it be the same?
No calculation required, but very briefly (one or two sentences) justify your answer using Center of
Mass and Momentum. Draw a simple diagram if it helps!
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