Question

A 10.0 kg block hangs at rest from a 1.5m long wire, which is assuming to have negligible mass in comparison to the block’s mass. The tensile strength of this wire is determined to be capable of withstanding tension up to 500 N. Suppose a 0.50 kg bullet is traveling horizontally immediately before hitting the block and has them embedded itself into the block of wood.

1) Discuss the theory of the conservation of momentum and how it applies to the collision between the bullet and the block

2) Determine largest possible speed the incoming bullet can travel at without causing the wire to break

3) Discuss how part 2 would be different if the mass of the wire was not negligible

Answer 1