CRITICAL THINKING: Consider a rubber bullet and an aluminum bullet; both have th

Question

CRITICAL THINKING: Consider a rubber bullet and an aluminum bullet; both have the same size, speed and mass. You fire each bullet at a large block of wood that is at rest on a frictionless surface. The rubber bullet bounces back; the aluminum bullet penetrates the block. After interacting with each bullet, in which case does the block have the highest speed? For each case, explain in terms of A) the impulse the block imparts on the bullet and B) the elasticity or inelasticity of the interaction.

Explanation / Answer

Accoridng to the given problem,

Because the rubber bullet would bounce off, and is an elastic material, it adheres more closely to ideal conservation of energy, in that most of the initial energy is maintained in the form of kinetic energy.

The aluminum bullet, on the other hand, upon shattering/deforming, would transmit a large amount of heat and kinetic energy in a random pattern, likely shattering the block (more damage).

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.