Question

Agent Arlene devised the following method of measuring the muzzle velocity of a rifle (the figure below). She fires a bullet into a 4.032-kg wooden block resting on a smooth surface, and attached to a spring of spring constant k = 160.2 N/m . The bullet, whose mass is 7.870 g, remains embedded in the wooden block. She measures the maximum distance that the block compresses the spring to be 9.460 cm .

What is the speed v of the bullet?

Express your answer to four significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Answer 1

Solution

Answer: 305.8m/s