A rifle is initially at rest on a frictionless horizontal surface

PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

3.0\,\text{kg}

rifle is initially at rest on a frictionless horizontal surface. It fires a

10\,\text{g}

bullet horizontally at

600\,\text{m\,s}^{-1}

(measured relative to Earth). What is the magnitude of the rifle’s recoil speed immediately after the shot? (a)

4.0\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

(b)

20\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

(c)

2.0\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

(d)

35\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}