PHYSICS HOMEWORK QUESTION: Not sure how to solve this.

Question

A rifle is aimed horizontally at a target 58 mm away. The bullet hits the target 2.5 cm below the aim point.

1. What was the bullet's flight time? Neglect the air resistance.

1. What was the bullet's speed as it left the barrel?

Answer 1

Hi Lauren,

(1) Solve for the y direction first: y-y_o=v_oyt - 0.5at²

y-y₀=-0.025 m

v_oy=0

a=-9.81 m/s² (gravity)

-0.025= 0-0.5(9.81)t²

-0.025=-4.905t²

t=0.071 sec

(2) Now for x, x-x₀=v_oxt or v_ox= (x-x_o)/t

x-x_o=0.058m and "t" is the answer from part 1:

v_ox=0.058/0.071=0.81 m/s

I hope this helps! Comment or reach out if something is unclear.