In a machine that drives a nail into a wooden block, a hammerhead falls straight down onto the nail’s top. The hammerhead has mass $1.5\,\text{kg}$ and the nail has mass $0.005\,\text{kg}$ (see diagram). The hammerhead strikes the nail at a speed of $32\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ and stays in contact with it after the collision.
(a)[2]
Calculate the speed of the hammerhead and nail immediately after the impact as they move together. Give your answer to $3$ decimal places.
(b)[3]
A constant resisting force of magnitude $25\,000\,\text{N}$ acts on the nail. Calculate how far the nail is pushed into the wood.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 5-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “Using conservation of momentum gives $1.5\times32=(1.5+0.005)v$.” …