may we equate linear KE with rotational KE?

[lizzyb]

The question is about a projectile hitting a rod; I need to find how much KE is lost.

Using K_f = \frac{1}{2} I_f \omega_f^2 I came up with 162.253; using K_i = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 (m being the mass of the projectile), I came up with 16.9785; Is the answer K_f - K_i in this form?

[Office_Shredder]

Yes, but it looks to me like you gained a buttload of free energy. Does the projectile stop moving after it makes contact?

[Hootenanny]

Yes, total kinetic energy is conserved in an elastic collision.

[lizzyb]

The projectile sticks to the end of the stationary rod. [Edited] It seems like KE was gained.

[radou]

The projectile sticks to the end of the stationary rod. [Edited] It seems like KE was gained.

In that case, it's a plastic collision, and all kinetic energy turns into rotational kinetic energy, since the projectile and the rod rotate together around some point. If we assume that there is no deformation, then it's an ideal plastic collision, and no energy is lost.

Edit: after seeing what Doc Al wrote and consulting my dynamics textbook, I concluded not to write nonsence. Kinetic energy is not conserved. :smile:

[Doc Al]

State the full problem. You'll need to use conservation of momentum to find the final speed (translational and rotational) of the "stick + projectile" system. (Kinetic energy is not conserved.)

[lizzyb]

But then K_i = K_f yes? Yet they are different values.

[Doc Al]

Please state the problem fully. (If a projectile hits a rod and sticks to it, that's an inelastic collision--kinetic energy is not conserved.)

[lizzyb]

A projectile of mass m moves to the right with speed v. The projectile strikes and sticks to the end of a stationary rod of mass M and length d that is pivoted about a frictionless axle through the center.

How much KE is lost in the collision relative to the initial KE?

I have I_f = \frac{M d^2}{12} + m(\frac{1}{2} d)^2 = \frac{d^2}{12}(M + 3m)

and I found the \omega_f of the system correctly:

\omega_f = \frac{6 m v}{(M + 3m)d}

[Doc Al]

The initial KE is pure translational KE of the projectile; the final KE is pure rotational KE of the "stick + projectile" system. (Angular momentum is conserved.)

[lizzyb]

so K_i is translational KE, K_f is rotational KE; how do I put these into similar units so I can find out how much KE was lost?

ok, sorry for jumping ahead, we have K_i = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 but \omega = \frac{v_f}{r}, thus K_i - K_f = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 - \frac{d^2}{24}(M + 3m)(\frac{v_f}{r})^2. ??

[lizzyb]

Even if change [tex]\omega[\tex] into [tex]v[\tex], the KE goes up as where the question implies that KE is lost.

[Doc Al]

K_i = \frac{1}{2} m v^2

K_f = \frac{1}{2} I_f \omega^2

[lizzyb]

For K_f I end up with a greater KE than K_i yet the question states "How much kinetic energy is lost in the collision relative to the initial kinetic energy"

[Doc Al]

I don't see how you are getting a final energy greater than the initial. You have the correct values for angular speed and rotational inertia, so just plug them into the expression for rotational KE. Unless you're making an algebraic error, your final KE will be less than the initial. (If you're still stuck, show your work and we'll take a look.)

[lizzyb]

Thank you for your help.

A projectile with m = 1.47 kg moves tothe right with speed v=23.1 m/s. The projectile strikes and sticks to the end of a stationary rod of mass M = 6.25 kg and length d = 1.82 m that is pivoted about a frictionless axle through it's center.

K_i = \frac{1}{2} m v^2 = \frac{1}{2} 1.47 (23.1)^2 = 392.203
K_f = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2 = \frac{1}{2} \frac{d^2}{12}(M + 3m) (\frac{6 m v}{(M + 3m) d})^2 = 162.253

[edit:]oh my goodness! i was not squaring the velocity of the projectile! that makes all the difference. thank you everyone for your patience.

[Doc Al]

Don't plug in numbers until the last second. First simplify that expression for final KE.