Question
Heavier the rifle, lesser the kick. Why?
Solution
Let M and m be the mass of the gun and bullet respectively.
Initially both the gun and bullet are at rest.
Therefore, initial momentum before fire of the system is zero.
after firing, let
be the velocity of the bullet and gun respectively.
Momentum of bullet after fire =
Momentum of gun after fire =
Total momentum of system after fire =
According to the law of conservation of momentum,
i.e.,
Negative sign indicates that gun will recoil.
It is clear from above equation that for a given momentum of bullet, the velocity of gun is inversely proportional to the mass of gun.
Hence heavier the gun, lesser is the kick.
Initially both the gun and bullet are at rest.
Therefore, initial momentum before fire of the system is zero.
after firing, let
be the velocity of the bullet and gun respectively.Momentum of bullet after fire =
Momentum of gun after fire =
Total momentum of system after fire =
According to the law of conservation of momentum,
i.e.,
Negative sign indicates that gun will recoil.
It is clear from above equation that for a given momentum of bullet, the velocity of gun is inversely proportional to the mass of gun.
Hence heavier the gun, lesser is the kick.
