An experiment that can be used to measure the velocity of a bullet is to have two cardboard disks attached to a rotating shaft some distance apart and to measure the angular separation of the holes made by the bullet. In such an experiment, two cardboard disks are placed 0.534 m apart on a shaft that is rotating at 3000 rpm. The bullet is fired parallel to the axis and the angular separation of the holes is measured to be 22.0°. What is the speed of the bullet?
A) 72.8 m/s
B) 139 m/s
C) 219 m/s
D) 437 m/s
E) 1380 m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The speed of the bullet can be calculated using the formula: speed = distance / time. The time can be found from the angular separation and the rotation speed. First, convert the rotation speed to radians per second: 3000 rpm = 3000 * 2π / 60 rad/s. Then, find the time it takes for the shaft to rotate 22° (converted to radians) and use this to find the speed: speed = 0.534 m / time.

An Experiment That Can Be Used to Measure the Velocity