In a police ballistics test, a 2.00-g bullet suddenly hits and becomes embedded in a 5.00-kg wood block which is hanging from a 1.20-m long string. This causes the block to swing through an arc of
3)50°. What was the speed of the bullet just before it hit the block?
A) 16.7 m/s
B) 789 m/s
C) 262 m/s
D) 524 m/s
E) 25.3 m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using conservation of energy and momentum, the initial speed of the bullet can be calculated. The potential energy at the highest point of the swing is equal to the kinetic energy just after the collision. Solving these equations gives the bullet's speed as approximately 524 m/s.

In a Police Ballistics Test, a 2