A 4g bullet, travelling at 589m/s embeds itself in a 2.3kg block of wood that is initially at rest, and together they travel at the same velocity. Calculate the percentage of the kinetic energy that is left in the system after collision to that before.

The  percentage of the kinetic energy that is left in the system after collision to that before is 0.174 %

Explanation:

Given;

mass of bullet, m₁ = 4g = 0.004kg

initial velocity of bullet, u₁ = 589 m/s

mass of block of wood, m₂ = 2.3 kg

initial velocity of the block of wood, u₂ = 0

let the final velocity of the system after collision = v

Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁+m₂)

0.004(589) + 2.3(0) = v(0.004 + 2.3)

2.356 = 2.304v

v = 2.356 / 2.304

v = 1.0226 m/s

Initial kinetic energy of the system

K.E₁ = ¹/₂m₁u₁² + ¹/₂m₂u₂²

K.E₁ = ¹/₂(0.004)(589)² = 693.842 J

Final kinetic energy of the system

K.E₂ = ¹/₂v²(m₁ + m₂)

K.E₂ = ¹/₂ x 1.0226² x (0.004 + 2.3)

K.E₂ = 1.209 J

The kinetic energy left in the system = final kinetic energy of the system

The percentage of the kinetic energy that is left in the system after collision to that before = (K.E₂ / K.E₁) x 100%

                       = (1.209 / 693.842) x 100%

                        = 0.174 %

Therefore, the  percentage of the kinetic energy that is left in the system after collision to that before is 0.174 %

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