Question

Which has the larger kinetic energy, a 10 g bullet fired at
500 m/s or a 75 kg student running at 5.5 m/s?

Short answer

Bullet has larger kinetic energy compared to student.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

Mass of bullet = 10 g bullet and velocity 500 m/s

Mass of student = 75 kg and velocity= 5.5 m/s?

2Step2: Explanation

Calculate the kinetic energy using

KE = 1/2(mv²)

Now find the kinetic energy of bullet and students using the equation (1)

KE_Bullet =1/2(0.010kg)(500m/s)² = 1250 J

Similarly

KE_student= 1/2(75kg)(5.5m/s)² = 1134.38 J

We can see KE_bullet> KE_student