- #1
the keck
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Homework Statement
A uniform symmetric ellipsoid (Mass M) has a large semi axis c and small semi axis a. A particle of mass m<<M is moving along a straight line parallel to the x-axis. Its y-coordinate is a/2 and its z-coordinate it c/2. After an inelastic collision, it sticks to the ellipsoid and then it (The ellipsoid) starts to move and rotate. One can assume the moment of inertia of the composite system equals to that of the ellipsoid.
Find its linear velocity after collision
Find the angular momentum of the system
Find the precession of the ellipsoid c-axis around direction of the angular momentum
Homework Equations
Moment of Inertia about z-axis is I=(2/5)*M*a^2
Moment of Inertia about other axes is I=(1/5)*M*(a^2+c^2)
KE=0.5*I*w^2 where w is angular velocity
L= I*w
The Attempt at a Solution
I suspect that you need the linear velocity to determine both the angular momentum and the precession. But my linear velocity cancels out when I equate KE=0.5*(m+M)*v^2=0.5*(0.4Ma^2)*(v/a)^2 [v/a=w]
Any help would be nice! Thanks a lot
Regards,
The Keck