A $0.035\,\text{kg}$ bullet moving horizontally at $350\,\text{m/s}$ embeds itself into an initially stationary $0.55\,\text{kg}$ block. Air resistance is negligible.

Question

A $0.035\,\text{kg}$ bullet moving horizontally at $350\,\text{m/s}$ embeds itself into an initially stationary $0.55\,\text{kg}$ block. Air resistance is negligible.(a) What is their velocity (in $\text{m/s}$) just after the collision?
, (b) Three students are debating which object (the bullet or the block) has the greater change in momentum.

Student $1$ argues that the bullet had the greater change in momentum since it is slowed down by a greater factor compared to the block.
Student $2$ argues that the block has the greater change in momentum because it started from rest.
Student $3$ argues that both objects had the same change in momentum since they both experienced equal forces in the same time interval.

Who is correct? Justify your answer.
, (c) The bullet-embedded block slides on a horizontal surface with a $0.30$ kinetic coefficient of friction. What is its velocity after sliding $8\,\text{m}$?
, (d) The bullet-embedded block now strikes and sticks to a stationary $2.00\,\text{kg}$ block on the same surface ($\mu_k = 0.30$). How far (in $\text{m}$) does this combination travel before stopping?
:

Jason · Accepted Answer

(a) 20.94 m/s
(b) Student 3 is correct. Each object will receive an equal but opposite amount of impulse to ensure momentum is conserved during the collision.
(c) 19.78 m/s
(d) 66.50 m

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