Question

Two identical bullets are fired one by a light rifle and another by a heavy rifle with the same force. Which rifle will hurt the shoulder more and why?

Answer 1

Conservation of momentum

1. Momentum can be measured as the product of the mass and the velocity of an object.
2. According to the conservation of momentum, the total momentum of the system remains constant.
3. According to Newton's third law of motion, the recoil velocity of the rifle will depend upon the velocity of the bullet.
4. Due to the conservation of momentum, the recoil velocity of the lighter rifle will be more than the heavier rifle, and thus the lighter rifle will have more momentum.
5. As the lighter rifle will have more momentum, it will hurt the shoulder more.