Question

A 10-gram bullet is launched with a muzzle velocity of 850 m/s. It is fired from a 308 Winchester with a WEIGHT of 7 pounds. What is the recoil velocity of the weapon?

Answer 1

Data in the question given as:

Mass of the weapon , M_w=> 7 pounds  = 3.2 Kg

Mass of the bullet, M_B = 10 g = 0.010 Kg

muzzle velocity of the bullet ( which is the velocity with which the bullet leaves the weapon) , V_B= 850 m/s

Recoil velocity of the weapon , V_w = ?

therefore , here we can apply conservation of linear momentum principle and by which we can calculate the recoil velocity of the weapon.

∴ M_wV_w + M_BV_B = 0

so, 3.2 *V_w + 0.01 *850 = 0

∴ V_w = -(850* 0.01) /3.2

= - 2.656 m/s (answer)

so finally the recoil velocity of the weapon is - 2.656 m/s

moreover the recoil velocity of the weapon is negative as it is opposite in direction of the bullet's velocity.