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Simple Harmonic Motion problem?

A 5g bullet is fired horizontally into a 0.50kg block of wood resting on a frictionless table. The block, which is attached to a horizontal spring, retains the bullet and moves forward, compressing the spring. The block-bullet system goes into SHM with a frequency of 9Hz and amplitude of 15cm.

A) Determine the speed of the bullet

1 Answer

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  • Ossi G
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Hello

    Let v1 = velocity of the bullet:

    velocity v of the block+bullet= m1*v1/(m1+m2)

    v = 0,005v1/0,505

    the kinetic energy of the block =

    Ek = 1/2 mv^2

    Ek = 1/2*0,505*(0,005v1/0,505)^2

    find the spring constant k:

    ω = 2pif = 2pi*9 = 56,55 rad/s and also

    ω = √(k/m)

    ω^2 = k/m

    k = ω^2*m

    k = 56,55^2*0,505

    k = 1614,9 N/m

    The kinetic energy of the block is = spring energy

    1/2*0,505*(0,005v1/0,505)^2 = 1/2*k*s^2

    1/2*0,505*(0,005v1/0,505)^2 = 1/2*1614,9*0,15^2

    0,000049504v1^2 = 36,3325

    v1^2 = 733986,1425

    v1 = 856,73 m/s = velocity of the bullet

    Regards

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