Help with elastic collisions/kinetic energy problems

In summary, the book is thrown with an initial velocity of 12m/s and lands with a distance of 15.2m. The angle at which the book is thrown is 15 degrees and the offender is moving at a speed of 12m/s.
  • #1
PhilliesFan
1
0
(1)Block A of mass mA = 1kg is moving at velocity +v (from left to right)
towards block B of mass mB = 2kg which is at rest. To the right of block B there is block
C. It is at rest and its mass is mC = 1kg. Find the ultimate velocities of all three masses
assuming all collisions are elastic (i.e. total kinetic energy does not change).

(2) A 0.05 kg marble is fired vertically upward using a spring gun. The spring
must be compressed 8 cm if the marble is to just reach a target 20 m above the marble’s
position on the compressed spring. (a) What is the change ∆Ugrav in the gravitational
potential energy of the marble-Earth system during 20 m ascent? (b) What is the change
∆Uelas in the elastic potential energy of the spring during its lunch of the marble? (c)
What the elastic (spring) constant of the spring?

(3) A person of mass M = 32.5 kg stands on ice and disdainfully throws my
favorite Leo Tolstoy’s book ”Anna Karenina” weighing m = 2.25kg with the initial velocity
v0 = 12m/s. The book is thrown from the ice level, so the initial height is zero. When the
book lands on the ice the total distance between the book and the offender is l = 15.2 m.
At what angle was this excellent book thrown? How fast is the offender moving?
 
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  • #2
Show us your attempt for each problem and where you're having trouble.
 
  • #3
PhilliesFan said:
(1)Block A of mass mA = 1kg is moving at velocity +v (from left to right)
towards block B of mass mB = 2kg which is at rest. To the right of block B there is block
C. It is at rest and its mass is mC = 1kg. Find the ultimate velocities of all three masses
assuming all collisions are elastic (i.e. total kinetic energy does not change).

(2) A 0.05 kg marble is fired vertically upward using a spring gun. The spring
must be compressed 8 cm if the marble is to just reach a target 20 m above the marble’s
position on the compressed spring. (a) What is the change ∆Ugrav in the gravitational
potential energy of the marble-Earth system during 20 m ascent? (b) What is the change
∆Uelas in the elastic potential energy of the spring during its lunch of the marble? (c)
What the elastic (spring) constant of the spring?

(3) A person of mass M = 32.5 kg stands on ice and disdainfully throws my
favorite Leo Tolstoy’s book ”Anna Karenina” weighing m = 2.25kg with the initial velocity
v0 = 12m/s. The book is thrown from the ice level, so the initial height is zero. When the
book lands on the ice the total distance between the book and the offender is l = 15.2 m.
At what angle was this excellent book thrown? How fast is the offender moving?
Hello PhilliesFan. Welcome to PF !

You need to make an honest attempt at a solution before we can help you -- it's a rule of this Forum.

It's also probably best to post each problem in its own thread.

The folks who set up this Forum have included a template to be used for each new thread. Please use it:

Homework Statement


Your statement of the problem goes here.

Homework Equations


Relevant equations, principles, etc. go here.

The Attempt at a Solution


Finally, show your attempt and/or what you know/don't know.
Thanks.

This is a very good site for getting help.
 

Related to Help with elastic collisions/kinetic energy problems

1. What is an elastic collision?

An elastic collision is a type of collision between two objects in which both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. This means that the total energy and total momentum of the objects before and after the collision are the same.

2. How do you calculate the kinetic energy of an object?

The kinetic energy of an object can be calculated by using the formula KE = 1/2mv^2, where m is the mass of the object and v is its velocity.

3. What is the difference between elastic and inelastic collisions?

In an elastic collision, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. In an inelastic collision, only momentum is conserved and some kinetic energy is lost due to the objects sticking together or changing shape.

4. How do you calculate the final velocities of two colliding objects in an elastic collision?

The final velocities of the two objects can be calculated by using the equations vf1 = (m1-m2)/(m1+m2)*v1 + (2m2)/(m1+m2)*v2 and vf2 = (2m1)/(m1+m2)*v1 + (m2-m1)/(m1+m2)*v2, where m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects and v1 and v2 are their initial velocities.

5. Can you have an elastic collision between two objects with different masses?

Yes, an elastic collision can occur between two objects with different masses as long as both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved. The final velocities of the objects will depend on their initial velocities and masses.

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