Question

0.0010 kg pellet is fired at a speed of 52.2 m/s at a motionless 3.3 kg piece of balsa wood. When the pellet

hits the wood, it sticks in the wood and they slide off together. With what speed do they slide? Round your
answer to the nearest thousandth.
m/s

Answer 1

The formula for momentum is p = m*v

The conservation of momentum suggests:

m*vi = m*vf (initial mass times initial velocity = final mass times final velocity or initial momentum = final momentum)

(0.0010)(52.2) = (0.0010 + 3.3)vf

vf = (0.0010)(52.2)/(0.0010 + 3.3) = 0.0522/3.301 ≈ 0.01581 m/s

To the nearest thousandth ≈ .016 m/s