Question

The high-speed winds around a tornado can drive projectiles into trees, building walls, and even metal traffic signs. In a laboratory simulation, a standard wood toothpick was shot by pneumatic gun into an oak branch. The toothpick mass was 0.12 g, its speed before entering the branch was 221 m/s, and its penetration depth was 16 mm. If its speed was decreased at a uniform rate, what was the magnitude of the force of the branch on the toothpick?

Answer 1

Answer:

F  = 183.153 N

Explanation:

given,

mass of the toothpick = 0.12 g = 0.00012 kg  

initial velocity = 227 m/s    

final velocity = 0 m/s      

penetration depth = 16 mm = 0.016 m        

using the equation of motion        

v² - u² = 2 a s                            

0 - u² = 2 a s                                      

- 221² = 2 × a × 0.016      

a = 1526281.25 m/s²            

Force is equal to            

F = m a

  = 0.00012 × 1526281.25

F  = 183.153 N