Question
An ice skater of mass (on frictionless ice) fires a bullet of mass 10 grams that leaves the barrel at 500 m/s (in the x-direction relative to the ground)
A) what is the recoil velocity of the skater relative to the ground?
B) how much work is done in the bullet by the exploding gunpowder?
A) what is the recoil velocity of the skater relative to the ground?
B) how much work is done in the bullet by the exploding gunpowder?
Answers
Chanz
A) this is conservation of momentum, which is zero in both cases. Unfortunately you neglected to give the skater's mass.
mv (skater) = mv (bullet)
watch units.
B) W = KE of bullet = 1/2(.001)500^2
mv (skater) = mv (bullet)
watch units.
B) W = KE of bullet = 1/2(.001)500^2