Question

What principle is involved when a bullet pierce a target?

Answer 1

Dear Student,

The principles involved when a bullet pierce a target are:

1. Conservation of momentum: The momentum of the bullet causes motion of the parts of the target that comes on its way. Since the collision of the bullet with the target is inelastic the kinetic energy of the system is not conserved but the momentum is conserved.

2. Work energy theorem: The loss in kinetic energy of the bullet is equal to the work done against the target in piercing it.