Question
A bullet leaves a rifle with a muzzle velocity of 521 m/s. While accelerating through the barrel of the rifle, the bullet moves a distance of 0.840 m in 0.003 seconds. Determine the acceleration of the bullet.
So I basically used the formula:
Change in position= (Initial velocity*Change in time) + (Acceleration((Change in time)^2))/2) to solve for a, my acceleration.
So 0.840= 521(0.003) + 0.000009/2 (a)
So 0.840- 1.563= -0.723= 0.000009/2 (a)
-0.723*2= -1.446= 0.000009a
-1.446/0.000009 = -160666.6667= a
so my acceleration= -160666.6667
But i'm confused. i thought the bullet should be accelerating logically, not decelerating. am i even right? Where did I go wrong?
So I basically used the formula:
Change in position= (Initial velocity*Change in time) + (Acceleration((Change in time)^2))/2) to solve for a, my acceleration.
So 0.840= 521(0.003) + 0.000009/2 (a)
So 0.840- 1.563= -0.723= 0.000009/2 (a)
-0.723*2= -1.446= 0.000009a
-1.446/0.000009 = -160666.6667= a
so my acceleration= -160666.6667
But i'm confused. i thought the bullet should be accelerating logically, not decelerating. am i even right? Where did I go wrong?
Answers
never mind, i think i found my mistake. 521m/s is the final velocity, not initial. thanks guys
Acceleration is any change in velocity. You can slow down, speed up, or turn. BTW, try not to use the term deceleration. It's best to use negative acceleration.