To determine the maximum height reached by the dart-block system, we’ll need to apply two main principles of physics: conservation of momentum for the collision phase and conservation of energy for the swinging motion after the collision.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Conservation of Momentum for the Collision: When the dart embeds itself into the block, the momentum of the dart-block system is conserved because there are no external horizontal forces acting on it.

   Let:

   • $m_1 = 0.050 \, \text{kg}$ be the mass of the dart.
   • $v_1 = 28 \, \text{m/s}$ be the initial velocity of the dart.
   • $m_2 = 3.0 \, \text{kg}$ be the mass of the block.
   • $v_2 = 0 \, \text{m/s}$ be the initial velocity of the block.

   After the dart embeds into the block, the total mass becomes: $M = m_1 + m_2 = 0.050 + 3.0 = 3.05 \, \text{kg}$

   Using the conservation of momentum, we find the velocity $v_f$ of the combined dart-block system just after the collision: $m_1 v_1 + m_2 v_2 = (m_1 + m_2) v_f$ Substituting the known values: $(0.050)(28) + (3.0)(0) = (3.05) v_f$ $1.4 = 3.05 v_f$ $v_f = \frac{1.4}{3.05} \approx 0.459 \, \text{m/s}$

2. Conservation of Energy for the Swing: After the collision, the dart-block system swings upward. At the highest point of the swing, all the initial kinetic energy (from the velocity $v_f$ just after the collision) is converted into potential energy.

   The kinetic energy right after the collision is: $\text{KE} = \frac{1}{2} M v_f^2$ Substituting the values: $\text{KE} = \frac{1}{2} (3.05) (0.459)^2$ $\text{KE} \approx 0.321 \, \text{J}$

   At the maximum height $h$, all this kinetic energy will convert into gravitational potential energy, which is given by: $\text{PE} = Mgh$ Setting the initial kinetic energy equal to the potential energy at maximum height: $0.321 = (3.05)(9.8) h$ Solving for $h$: $h = \frac{0.321}{3.05 \times 9.8}$ $h \approx 0.0107 \, \text{m}$

Final Answer

The maximum height reached by the dart-block system is approximately: $h \approx 0.0107 \, \text{m} \quad \text{or} \quad 1.07 \, \text{cm}$

Would you like further details on this problem or have any specific questions?

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Related Questions

1. What would happen to the maximum height if the dart’s mass were doubled?
2. How would the result change if there was friction during the swing?
3. What is the importance of using conservation of momentum in this problem?
4. How would a different initial velocity for the dart affect the outcome?
5. How would air resistance affect the final height?

Tip:

When solving physics problems involving collisions and swings, remember to separate the stages of the motion (collision and swing) and apply the appropriate conservation law for each stage.