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 0.740 m. Determine the acceleration of the bullet (assume a uniform acceleration).

Answer 1

To determine the acceleration of the bullet, we can use the kinematic equation:

$v^2 = u^2 + 2as$

Where:
v = final velocity (muzzle velocity) = 521 m/s
u = initial velocity (assumed to be 0 m/s as the bullet starts from rest)
a = acceleration
s = distance traveled in the barrel = 0.740 m

Plugging in the values, we get:

$(521)^2 = (0)^2 + 2a(0.740)$

$521^2 = 2(0.740)a$

$521^2 = 1.480a$

$a = \frac{521^2}{1.480}$

$a ≈ 183,329.73 m/s^2$

Therefore, the acceleration of the bullet while in the barrel is approximately 183,329.73 m/s^2.