Question

A pistol of mass 0.75 kg recoils with a velocity of 0.25 m/s. If the bullet leaves the shell with a velocity of 80 m/s. Find the mass of the bullet.

Answer 1

Answer:

Mass of bullet = 2.3 g

Explanation:

Given,

Mass of pistol ( m1 ) = 0.75 kg

Recoling velocity (v1) = 0.25 m/s

Velocity of bullet ( v2) = 80 m/s

To find: Mass of bullet ( m2)

Solution:

Here, we can apply linear momentum conservation as there is not external force acting on the pistol.

And momentum is product of mass and velocity,

So, according to momentum conservation,

mv = constant

or, m1v1 = m2v2

or, m2 = m1v1 / v2

or, m2 = 0.75*0.25 / 80

or, m2 = 0.0023 kg

or, m2 = 2.3 g

Therefore, Mass of bullet = 2.3 g