Solve Conservation of Momentum Problems | Physics Homework Help

  • Thread starter Dr physics
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In summary: Try dividing by M1 instead.In summary, the conversation revolved around a person asking for help with physics problems involving conservation of momentum and perfectly elastic collisions. The expert guided the person through the steps of solving the problems, emphasizing the importance of showing an attempt and using algebra correctly. The person eventually arrived at the correct solution with the expert's help.
  • #36
im sorry i knew i shouldn't have, made a silly mistake sry about that.

M1V1 + m2V2 = 0
M1V1 + M2V2 - M2V2 = 0 -M2V2 = -M2V2
M1V1 / M1V1 = -M2V2 / M1
 
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  • #37
Dr physics said:
im sorry i knew i shouldn't have, made a silly mistake sry about that.

M1V1 + m2V2 = 0
M1V1 + M2V2 - M2V2 = 0 -M2V2 = -M2V2

Right.

M1V1 / M1V1 = -M2V2 / M1

Again, you're dividing by M1V1. This is not right. The last line should read:

M1V1/M1=-M2V2/M1

Then we obtain V1=-M2V2/M1. You can then plug in the numbers you were given to find V1.
 
  • #38
M2 = 1.2kg
V2 = 5m/s
M1 = 750 N
V1 = ?

V1 = -M2V2/M1
V1 = -1.2 * -5 / 76.53 = 0.0784

is that correct?
 
  • #39
Dr physics said:
M2 = 1.2kg
V2 = 5m/s
M1 = 750 N

As I have already explained to you, M1 is not 750N. It is 76.53 kg. But you did use the correct number below, so this mistake is minor.

V1 = ?

V1 = -M2V2/M1
V1 = -1.2 * -5 / 76.53 = 0.0784

is that correct?

No, it isn't. The answer should obviously be negative. Think about what you're doing. If the book moves in one direction, then obviously the man has to move in the other direction! Why did you insert that extra negative sign in your last step? It shouldn't be there.
 
  • #40
V1 = ?

V1 = -m2v2/m1
V1 = -1.2 * 5 / 76.53
V1 = -6 / 76.53 = -0.0784
 
  • #41
Dr physics said:
heres a list of question I am having difficulty with.

1)define clearly the principle of conservation of momentum and apply this to solve the following problem:
A man weighing 730N stands in the middle of a frozen pound of a radius 5.9m. he is unable to get to the other side becuase of lack of friction between his shoes and the ice. to overcome this problem, he throws his 1.2kg book horizontally towards the north shore at a speed of 5m/s. how long does it take him to reach the south shore?

to work out how long it take him to reach the south shore do you use this formula

d = vi + vf / 2 * t = t = vi + vf / 2 / d

t = -0.0784 + 5 / 2 / 5.9
= 4.922 / 2 / 5.9
= 5.9 / 2.461
t = 2.34 s

hope that's right
 
Last edited:
  • #42
Dr physics said:
V1 = ?

V1 = -m2v2/m1
V1 = -1.2 * 5 / 76.53
V1 = -6 / 76.53 = -0.0784

Correct. And the units are m/s.
 
  • #43
Dr physics said:
to work out how long it take him to reach the south shore do you use this formula

d = vi + vf / 2 * t = t = vi + vf / 2 / d

No, you don't use that formula. In that formula, vi and vf refer to the initial and final velocities of the same object under uniform acceleration. You are trying to apply it to two different objects. You need to stop guessing and start thinking if you are going to succeed at this.
 

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