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⚛️ Physics  ·  Work, Energy and Power  ·  NEET & JEE

A 10 g bullet moving at 200 m/s embeds in a 990 g block that can then swing freely as a pendulum. The maximum height the block rises is (g = 10 m/s<sup>2</sup>):

Answer: 0.2 m.

  • A 0.4 m
  • B 0.1 m
  • C 2.0 m
  • D 0.2 m

Correct answer: D. 0.2 m

Explanation: Momentum: v = (0.01×200)/1.0 = 2 m/s. Then energy conservation: h = v<sup>2</sup>/2g = 4/20 = 0.2 m.

Energy Conservation: KE ⇄ PE on a SwingA: PE maxKE = 0B: KE maxPE minC: PE maxKE = 0

As a pendulum swings, total mechanical energy (KE+PE) stays constant: at the highest points A and C, all energy is potential (zero speed); at the lowest point B, all of that energy has converted into kinetic energy (maximum speed).

Concept context

Work-energy theorem, potential energy, conservation of energy, collisions.

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