Block bombarded by particles {colision}

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The discussion revolves around the application of conservation of momentum in elastic collisions involving a block and particles with significantly different masses. Participants explore the recursive equation for the velocity of the block after multiple collisions, noting that approximations may lead to incorrect conclusions about the velocities diverging. There is a focus on how to properly apply elasticity and momentum conservation principles, particularly when considering the frame of reference. The conversation highlights the complexities of analyzing collisions and the importance of making valid approximations. Ultimately, the discussion emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the physics involved in such scenarios.
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Homework Statement
A trouble with quantity of motion, impulse and force.
Relevant Equations
All below
1591421706454.png


I thought i could apply a conservation of momentum in this case,

1591422274408.png
1591422120806.png

Apparently, this is not right, so i don't know what to do now.
 

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I suggest you have a look at the formulas here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision#One-dimensional_Newtonian and do the proper approximations for the case that ##m_2=\delta m<<m=m_1##.

According to one approximation I can see for this case (namely that ##m+\delta m\approx m## )we ll have $$v_{n+1}=(1-\frac{\delta m}{m})v_{n}+\frac{2\delta m}{m}v_0$$. What do you get for ##v_n## ( the velocity after the n-th collision) if you solve this recursive equation?
 
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Delta2 said:
I suggest you have a look at the formulas here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision#One-dimensional_Newtonian and do the proper approximations for the case that ##m_2=\delta m<<m=m_1##.

According to one approximation I can see for this case (namely that ##m+\delta m\approx m## )we ll have $$v_{n+1}=(1-\frac{\delta m}{m})v_{n}+\frac{2\delta m}{m}v_0$$. What do you get for ##v_n## ( the velocity after the n-th collision) if you solve this recursive equation?
I use wolframalpha to solve this, because i am little tired now, but we have:
1591426813693.png

I think this is not the answer, because if n tends to infinity {just to verify and to comparison with the problem}, Vn will diverge and so will not tends to Vo
 

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I see, maybe the approximations I have suggested are not so good. What do you get in wolfram alpha if you want to solve the recursive equation $$v_{n+1}=bv_{n}+av_0$$ for ##1>b>0## and ##1>a>0## cause I don't seem to get something valid there.
 
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The exact recursive equation I get (without approximations) is
$$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$
 
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LCSphysicist said:
Homework Statement:: A trouble with quantity of motion, impulse and force.
Relevant Equations:: All below

View attachment 264180

I thought i could apply a conservation of momentum in this case,

View attachment 264183View attachment 264182
Apparently, this is not right, so i don't know what to do now.
How do you get the ##2V+v_0##? Does your equation make sense when ##V=v_0##?
You must need to use the elasticity somewhere.
 
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Delta2 said:
The exact recursive equation I get (without approximations) is
$$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$
You are doing to much on behalf of the OP. Please just provide hints and point out errors, at least to begin with.
 
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Sometimes in physics a successful result involves the art of making successful approximations. I think this is the case here, it's all about making the proper approximations here stemming from the fact that ##\delta m<<m##.
 
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haruspex said:
How do you get the ##2V+v_0##? Does your equation make sense when ##V=v_0##?
You must need to use the elasticity somewhere.
I wonder i could change to the reference of the block, but this is leading me to some contradictions. I don't know why, see example:

A ball is going with 50m/s, and the block 30m/s.
Now the ball has 20m/s in block frame, and go back with -20m/s
But in the block frame, the ball has
+20 + 30 = +50
-20 + 30 = +10, what is wrong, because the ball need to back off.
Considering the mass of the block very large with respect to the ball.
Maybe i just can use this when the two blocks are approximating?
 
  • #10
Delta2 said:
The exact recursive equation I get (without approximations) is
$$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$
In this cases that have something a >> b, i always try to put b/a and so i cut this terms, because is nearly zero, but in this case seems that don't match, i will try by another approximations.
 
  • #11
Delta2 said:
The exact recursive equation I get (without approximations) is
$$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$

It's possible to solve this by rearranging it to $$(m + \delta m)v_{n+1} - (m - \delta m)v_n = 2v_0 \delta m$$and then solving the non-homogenous recurrence relation. To do this you postulate ##v_n = \lambda^n## for the homogenous part, and ##v_n = k## for the non-homogenous part. I won't show details since we can't give full solutions, however you end up with something like ##v_n = v_0(1-e^{-n\ln{(\frac{m+ \delta m}{m - \delta m})}})## which you can then get into the required form along with ##\ln(1+x) \approx x##.

There's likely a nicer way, but it gets the job done 😅.
 
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  • #12
Yes, now i got it. THanks all of you.
 
  • #13
I am just stuck in this,
LCSphysicist said:
I wonder i could change to the reference of the block, but this is leading me to some contradictions. I don't know why, see example:

A ball is going with 50m/s, and the block 30m/s.
Now the ball has 20m/s in block frame, and go back with -20m/s
But in the block frame, the ball has
+20 + 30 = +50
-20 + 30 = +10, what is wrong, because the ball need to back off.
Considering the mass of the block very large with respect to the ball.
Maybe i just can use this when the two blocks are approximating?
There is any error in see by this way?
 
  • #14
LCSphysicist said:
I am just stuck in this,

There is any error in see by this way?

The problem just states that the particles bounce back in the negative x-direction, i am not sure if we can interpret this as that they bounce back with equal and opposite velocity (relative to the block). If we interpret it this way then because the collision is elastic and hence kinetic energy is conserved this would imply that the particle transfers zero kinetic energy to the block, so the velocity of the block would remain constant.
 
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  • #15
LCSphysicist said:
Now the ball has 20m/s in block frame, and go back with -20m/s
Then either momentum is not conserved or the block has turned into a brick wall.
 
  • #16
Elastic collison so ##\Delta P = 2\mu\Delta v## where ##\mu = \frac{m\times M}{m+M}\approx m## if m<<M and ##\Delta v=v_0-v_n##. Then ##P_{n+1}=P_n+\Delta P##.
 
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