Calculating Boat Speed with Rainfall Accumulation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a boat after it accumulates rainwater, with the initial conditions provided. The problem involves concepts of momentum and mass change due to the rain falling vertically into the boat.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of conservation of momentum and question the validity of the formula used. There are inquiries about the definitions of variables and the nature of the problem (calculation vs. algebra).

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on recalculating values based on momentum principles, while others are clarifying the initial and final momentum concepts. There is acknowledgment of correct answers and ongoing confusion regarding the underlying mechanics.

Contextual Notes

There are discussions about unit consistency and the implications of drag forces on the boat's motion, as well as assumptions regarding the neglect of varying mass due to rain accumulation.

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A boat of mass 250 kg is coasting, with its engine in neutral, through the water at speed 3.00 m/s when it starts to rain. The rain is falling vertically, and it accumulates in the boat at the rate of 10.0 kg/hr.

using this formula: mb*vb/(mb+k0+t1)

i got an answer of 2.86, but it's incorrect. it tells me I am close, but wrong. do i need to convert the units or something?
 
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What is the question asking you? Whats k_0? t_1?
 
oops, so sorry. i forgot to post the question.

What is the speed of the boat after time 2.00 hr has passed? Assume that the water resistance is negligible.

T_1 is just time(2hr) and K_0 is 10.0 kg/hr
 
Is this calc based or algebra based?
And how did you derive your eq?
 
ProBasket said:
A boat of mass 250 kg is coasting, with its engine in neutral, through the water at speed 3.00 m/s when it starts to rain. The rain is falling vertically, and it accumulates in the boat at the rate of 10.0 kg/hr.

using this formula: mb*vb/(mb+k0+t1)

i got an answer of 2.86, but it's incorrect. it tells me I am close, but wrong. do i need to convert the units or something?
You seem to correctly be trying to use conservation of horizontal momentum:
vb(t=2 hr) = mb(t=0)*vb(t=0)/mb(t=2 hr)
Recalculate your value. (Should be about 2.778 m/sec).


~~
 
Last edited:
Hold on,a second.U can't add things with different units.A flow (Kg/hr) with a mass (Kg) with a time (s)...

What's the initial momentum of the boat?What's the boat's momentum after 2hrs??

Daniel.
 
thanks a lot, 2.778 was correct and i know how you got it, but i don't UNDERSTAND how it works, can someone help?

"What's the initial momentum of the boat?What's the boat's momentum after 2hrs??"
p=mv
initial momentum = 250*3
after 2hr = 250*(10*2*3) (for this one, do you use the momentum formula also?)
cause what would be v?
 
Well this is basically an inelastic collision right? You were going a certain speed and you gained mass. What is your new speed?

[tex]m_iv_i = m_fv_f[/tex]

Your final momentum is [tex]m_fv_f[/tex]. Your final mass is not 250(10*2*3), that would mean you gained about 50 times your mass. In fact your final mass is [tex]mass_{boat} + mass_{rain}[/tex]. How much mass did the rain add to you?

using [tex]p_f = m_fv_f[/tex] you can find your final momentum.

Do you see how this works?
 
ahh... thanks a lot!
 
  • #10
I got stuck on the 3rd part of this question:

Assume that the boat is subject to a drag force F due to water resistanceThe drag is proportional to the square of the speed of the boat, in the form F=0.5v^2. What is the acceleration of the boat just after the rain starts?

I don't even know how to go about approaching this part
 
  • #11
Does that mean we can neglect varying mass & momentum of the boat due to the water falling down?

Daniel.
 

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