one molecule is reversed, it must at some instant come to rest. And if this mole

Question

one molecule is reversed, it must at some instant come to rest. And if this molecule comes to rest, so must the other. At this instant the total momentum is zero. How do you explain this seemingly paradoxical result? No mathematics is necessary. A .22 caliber rifle and a .22 caliber pistol can use the same ammunition (caliber indicates the diameter of the bullet). Yet the muzzle velocity of a rifle bullet is appreciably greater than that of a pistol bullet (muzzle velocity is the velocity of the bullet as it emerges from the barrel of the rifle or pistol). Why? Estimate the ratio of muzzle velocities of the rifle and pistol. Assume that propulsion of a bullet is a constant-pressure process. The principle behind shotguns, rifles, and pistols is essentially the same. When any of these is fired, a sudden explosion occurs in the shell. This explosion, which occurs behind the projectiles (bullets or shot), propels them down the barrel. After you have made your estimate you might try to find data on muzzle velocities of rifles and pistols. If there are any discrepancies between measured values and what you calculated, try to explain them. Estimate how gas mileage is affected by increasing the maximum speed limit

Explanation / Answer

Assuming the same force acts on the bullet for both the pistol and the rifle. Therefore, the acceleration produced is same.

Since the force acts over a larger distance in case of a rifle, the muzzle velocity of a rifle>> muzzle velocity of pistol since Lrifle>>Lpistol

v=sqrt(2aL)

Here Lrifle>>Lpistol and a is same for both.

Therefore,

vrifle>>vpistol

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