Conservation of Momentum initial velocity curved path

In summary, the problem involves a frictionless track with a straight horizontal section and a quarter-circle with radius R = 5 m. A 1 Kg lump of putty is thrown towards a stationary 4 Kg block, and after the collision, the block starts to slide with the putty stuck on it. The normal force at point B is 98 N. To find the initial speed of the putty, the energy and momentum equations can be used. After calculations, the initial speed is found to be 70 m/s.
  • #1
pconn5
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0

Homework Statement


The frictionless track is made of a straight horizontal section and a quarter-circle with radius R = 5 m. A 1 Kg lump of putty is thrown toward the stationary 4 Kg block, and the block starts to slide with the putty stuck on it after the collision. If the normal force acting on the block/putty from the track is 98 N at point B, find the initial speed v0 of the putty.

Homework Equations


m1v0=(m1+m2)(vf)
...energy equation?

The Attempt at a Solution


I have been trying to use the energy equation to solve this problem but I am getting nowhere. The answer is 70 m/s. I can't seem to figure out what the velocity would be at the bottom of the arc. According to a(norm)=v^2/R, I found that v=9.8995 but don't know what to do with that...
 

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  • #2
Well depending on where B is the velocity would be different.

But say B is just at the bottom of the arc, then on the arc the forces acting are the Normal force R and the weight W. The resultant of these two gives mv^2/r

[tex]\frac{mv^2}{r}=R-W[/tex]

so find v from that.

Then put that into the momentum equation.
 
  • #3
Ok I got it now. Thanks for the help.
 

FAQ: Conservation of Momentum initial velocity curved path

What is the Conservation of Momentum principle?

The Conservation of Momentum principle states that the total momentum of a system remains constant unless acted upon by an external force. This means that the momentum of the objects before and after a collision or interaction will be equal.

How does initial velocity affect the conservation of momentum?

The initial velocity of an object affects the conservation of momentum by determining the momentum of the object before a collision or interaction. The initial velocity is a crucial factor in calculating the total momentum of a system and determining the outcome of a collision.

Can conservation of momentum be applied to objects on a curved path?

Yes, the conservation of momentum principle can be applied to objects on a curved path. The momentum of an object on a curved path is constantly changing due to the changing direction of its velocity, but the total momentum of the system remains constant as long as there are no external forces acting on the object.

What happens to the velocity of an object after a collision?

After a collision, the velocity of an object may change depending on the type of collision. In an elastic collision, where there is no loss of energy, the velocity of the objects after the collision will be the same as their initial velocities. In an inelastic collision, where there is a loss of energy, the velocity of the objects after the collision will be different from their initial velocities.

Why is the conservation of momentum principle important in conservation efforts?

The conservation of momentum principle is important in conservation efforts because it helps us understand and predict the outcomes of collisions or interactions between objects. This is especially relevant in situations where conservation of momentum plays a critical role, such as in rocket launches, airbags in cars, and the movement of celestial bodies in space.

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