A bullet of mass mb is fired horizontally with speed vi at a wooden block of mass mw resting on a frictionless table. The bullet hits the block and becomes completely embedded within it. After the bullet has come to rest within the block, the block, with the bullet in it, is traveling at speed vf. What is the speed of the block/bullet system after the collision?

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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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A bullet of mass mb is fired horizontally with speed vi at a wooden block of mass mw resting on a frictionless table. The bullet hits the block and becomes completely embedded within it. After the bullet has come to rest within the block, the block, with the bullet in it, is traveling at speed vf.

What is the speed of the block/bullet system after the collision?

 

The diagram illustrates a collision scenario with two main parts: "Before collision" and "After collision."

**Before collision:**
- A bullet with mass \( m_b \) moves towards a wooden block with an initial velocity \( v_i \).
- The wooden block has a mass \( m_w \) and is stationary.

**After collision:**
- The bullet is embedded in the wooden block, and together they move with a final velocity \( v_f \).

**Explanation:**
- The diagram represents an example of an inelastic collision where the bullet and the block stick together after the collision.
- Before the collision, only the bullet has kinetic energy.
- After the collision, both the bullet and block move together with a new velocity.

This visual can help explain principles of momentum conservation and energy transfer in physics.
Transcribed Image Text:The diagram illustrates a collision scenario with two main parts: "Before collision" and "After collision." **Before collision:** - A bullet with mass \( m_b \) moves towards a wooden block with an initial velocity \( v_i \). - The wooden block has a mass \( m_w \) and is stationary. **After collision:** - The bullet is embedded in the wooden block, and together they move with a final velocity \( v_f \). **Explanation:** - The diagram represents an example of an inelastic collision where the bullet and the block stick together after the collision. - Before the collision, only the bullet has kinetic energy. - After the collision, both the bullet and block move together with a new velocity. This visual can help explain principles of momentum conservation and energy transfer in physics.
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