An iron nail is dropped from a height h from the level of a sand bed. If it penetrates through a distance x in the sand before coming to rest, then the average force exerted by the sand on the nail is

Question

An iron nail is dropped from a height h from the level of a sand bed. If it penetrates through a distance x in the sand before coming to rest, then the average force exerted by the sand on the nail is, mg h x + 1, mg x h + 1, mg h x - 1, mg x h - 1

MARKS App · Accepted Answer

The nail has fallen through a total vertical distance of h + x . Hence loss in its potential energy = mg h + x . If average retarding force exerted by sand on the nail is f , then work done W = - Fx For equilibrium, mg h + x = Fx or F = mg h + x x = mg h x + 1 .

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