Momentum Physics

Question

9. A 0.05 kg bullet moving vertically upwards at 125 m/s hits a stationary 2.6 kg block hanging from a 5.00 m long string. The block then soars upward until it reaches a maximum height (you may assume that the bullet remains within the sandbag).
a) What physics concept applies for the collision between the bullet and the block? Calculate the speed the block has immediately after the collision.


b) What kind of energy does the block have after the collision? Where does this energy go once it soars into the air and reaches its maximum height?



c) Calculate the maximum height reached by the block.

 

 

Please help! 

Answer 1

a)  conservation of momentum

(mass of Bullet)*(bullet velocity initial) = (mass of bullet + mass of block) * (velocity of combo)

 

b) block has kinetic energy which will be converted to potential energy as it rises to its max elevation

 

c) 1/2 * (mass of combo) * (velocity of combo)^2 = (mass of combo) * (acceleration of gravity) * (height max)