Question

A bullet of mass m traveling at velocity v0 penetrates a block of wood of mass M and emerges with a velocity v. If the block is stationary on a frictionless surface when hit, how fast does it move after the bullet emerges?
Express your answer in terms of the given quantities.

Answer 1

Answer:

$v_1 = \frac{m(v_o - v)}{M}$

Explanation:

As we know that there is no external force on the system of mass of bullet and the block

so we will use momentum conservation for the system

so we have

$mv_o = M v_1 + m v$

so we have

$mv_o - mv = M v_1$

so final speed will be

$v_1 = \frac{m(v_o - v)}{M}$