Answer to Question #81603 in Physics for Salvador

Question

A rifle “recoils” at a relatively slow speed compared to the bullet it fired. This is because
A) no answer provided
B) the mass of the rifle is bigger
C) the rifle exerts more force on the bullet than the bullet exerts on the rifle.
D) the momentum of the rifle is smaller

Answer 1

B) the mass of the rifle is bigger
From the conservation of momentum:
m_r v_r=m_b v_b
v_r=m_b/m_r v_b<v_b