Find the recoil velocity of a gun having mass equal to 5 kg, if a bullet of 25 g acquires the velocity of 500 m/s after firing from the gun.(in m/s)
Here given,
Mass of bullet (m1) = 25 g = 0.025 kg
Velocity of bullet before firing (u1) = 0
Velocity of bullet after firing (v1) = 500 m/s
Mass of gun (m2) = 5 kg
Velocity of gun before firing, (u2) = 0
Velocity of gun after firing = ?
We know that, m1u1+m2u2 = m1v1+m2v2
(0.025 kg x 0) + (5 kg x 0) = (0.025 kg x 500 m/s) + (5 kg x v2)
0 = 12.5 kgm/s + (5 kg x v2)
5 kg x v2 = - 12.5 kgm/s
v2 = −12.5kgm/s5kg = -2.5 m/s
Thus, recoil velocity of gun is equal to 2.5 m/s. Here negative (- ve) sign shows that gun moves in the opposite direction of bullet.