
Stanton D. answered 03/16/21
Tutor to Pique Your Sciences Interest
Hi Chloe B.,
I love that part about "no friction". What stopped the bullet, then?
Anyway, the intent of the question is clear -- just solve as a conservation of momentum problem. The bullet has all the initial momentum, and the (block+bullet) has the final momentum. OK?
Since it is a velocity problem, don't forget to add "in the direction of travel of the bullet before impact". Otherwise your answer would be a speed, not a velocity!!
Oh, and you should probably also add, "if the block was free to move". 'Cause if it was up against a wall, for example, it isn't going ANYwhere!
-- Cheers, -Mr. d.