Question

What is the force acting on the bullet during the collision? What is the acceleration of the bullet during the collision?

An insurgent in the desert sees a soldier with a rocket launcher. The insurgent fires a 0.012 kg bullet from his rifle at a velocity of 867 m/s. The bullet and the rocket hit each other in the middle of the desert and ricochet in a time of 0.09 s. The speed of the bullet after the collision is -1103 m/s.

Answer 1

Force `=-262.dot6N`

Acceleration`=-21888.dot8 ms^-2`

Explanation:

Recall the following expression
`v=u+at`
where `u` is the initial velocity, `v` is the final velocity, `a` is constant acceleration and `t` time for which the object was accelerated.

Inserting given values
`-1103=867+axx0.09`

Assuming negligible or no resistance due to air.

We obtain `a=(-1103-867)/0.09=-1970/0.09=-21888.dot8 ms^-2`
`-ve` sign indicates that acceleration is in the direction opposite to the velocity. It is deceleration.

We know that Force `F=ma`
`:.` Force acting on the bullet `F=0.012xx(-21888.dot8)=-262.dot6N`
Retarding force.