Question

A bullet with a mass m b = 11.5 g is fired into a block of wood at velocity v b = 249 m/s. The block is attached to a spring that has a spring constant k of 205 N/m. The block and bullet continue to move, compressing the spring by 35.0 cm before the whole system momentarily comes to a stop. Assuming that the surface on which the block is resting is frictionless, determine the mass of the wooden block.

Answer 1

Answer:

0.358Kg

Explanation:

The potential energy in the spring at full compression = the initial kinetic energy of the bullet/block system

0.5Ke^2 = 0.5Mv^2

0.5(205)(0.35)^2 = 12.56 J = 0.5(M + 0.0115)v^2

Using conservation of momentum between the bullet and the block

0.0115(265) = (M + 0.0115)v

3.0475 = (M + 0.0115)v

v = 3.0475/(M + 0.0115)

plugging into Energy equation

12.56 = 0.5(M + 0.0115)(3.0475)^2/(M + 0.0115)^2

12.56 = 0.5 × 3.0475^2 / ( M + 0.0115 )

12.56 = 0.5 × 9.2872/ M + 0.0115

12.56 = 4.6436/ M + 0.0115

12.56 ( M + 0.0115 ) = 4.6436

12.56M + 0.1444 = 4.6436

12.56M = 4.6436 - 0.1444

12.56 M = 4.4992

M = 4.4992÷12.56

M = 0.358 Kg