From the barrel of a gun, the mass of which is equal to 1 ton, a projectile flies out at a speed of 600 m / s.

From the barrel of a gun, the mass of which is equal to 1 ton, a projectile flies out at a speed of 600 m / s. What is the mass of the projectile if the recoil velocity of the gun in the opposite direction is 12 m / s?

Initial data: mо (gun mass) = 1 t (1 * 10 ^ 3 kg); Vs (velocity of projectile departure from the gun barrel) = 600 m / s; Vо (recoil speed of the gun after the projectile is launched) = 12 m / s.

The mass of the projectile is determined using the law of conservation of momentum: mo * Vo = mc * Vc, whence mc = mo * Vo / Vc.

Let’s make the calculation: mс = 1 * 10 ^ 3 * 12/600 = 20 kg.

Answer: The mass of the projectile is 20 kilograms.