Purchase Solution

Recoil Velocity When Firing a Gun

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

The lead female character in a movie is standing at the edge of an offshore oil rig. As she fires a gun, she is driven back over the edge and into the sea. Suppose the mass of a bullet is 0.010 kg and its velocity is 720 m/s. Her mass (including the gun) is 51 kg.

(a) what recoil velocity does she acquire in response to a single shot from a stationary position, assuming that no external force keeps her in place?
(b) Under the same assumption, what would be her recoil velocity if, instead, she shoots a blanks cartridge that ejects a mass of 5.0 x 10^-4 kg at a velocity of 720 m/s?

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

The solution shows the calculation of recoil velocity after firing a gun. It is an application of conservation of momentum.

Solution Preview

Using the conservation of momentum since there is no external force in the whole process.
The initial momentum is 0 since she ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Classical Mechanics

This quiz is designed to test and improve your knowledge on Classical Mechanics.

Introduction to Nanotechnology/Nanomaterials

This quiz is for any area of science. Test yourself to see what knowledge of nanotechnology you have. This content will also make you familiar with basic concepts of nanotechnology.

Variables in Science Experiments

How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.

Basic Physics

This quiz will test your knowledge about basic Physics.

Intro to the Physics Waves

Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.