Linear and Angular Momentum (conservation of)

In summary, a problem was presented involving a uniform, thin rod and a bullet traveling in a horizontal plane. Using conservation of momentum and angular momentum, the bullet's speed just before impact was calculated to be 1300m/s.
  • #1
patm95
31
0
Hi all, I have been working on this problem all night and although it should be easy, I can not seem to get the correct answer as in the back of the book.


Homework Statement



A uniform, thin rod of length .5m and a mass of 4kg can rotate in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis through its center. The rod is at rest when a 3g bullet traveling in the rotation plane is fired into one end of the rod. As viewed from above, the bullet's path makes angle 60 deg with the rod. If the bullet lodges in the rod and the angular velocity of the rod is 10 rad/sec immediately after the collision, what is the bullet's speed just before impact?



Homework Equations



(1/12 M L^2)* Omega = this is momentum of rod after impact

m*v = this is momentum of bullit right before impact



The Attempt at a Solution



Using conservation of momentum, I would like to set the two equations equal to each other.

1/12*4kg*(.5^2)*(10) = .003kg*v*Cos 60 (using cos 60 because only the velocity in the y direction should contribute to the rods angular momentum)

The answer in the back of the book is 1300m/s

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
You need to use the angular momentum of the bullet. (You are trying to equate momentum with angular momentum, which don't even have the same units).
 
  • #3
use conservation of angular momentum:

for the bullet the angular momentum right before it hits is :
[itex]
\vec{L} = \vec{r} \times \vec{p} = rmv \sin (\theta )
[/itex]

give it a shot from here
 
  • #4
Got it! Thanks!
 

What is the difference between linear and angular momentum?

Linear momentum is a measure of an object's motion in a straight line, while angular momentum is a measure of an object's rotational motion around an axis.

What is the law of conservation of linear momentum?

The law of conservation of linear momentum states that in a closed system, the total linear momentum remains constant, meaning that the total momentum of all objects before and after a collision or interaction must be equal.

How is angular momentum conserved?

Similar to linear momentum, angular momentum is also conserved in a closed system. This means that the total angular momentum of all objects before and after a collision or interaction must be equal.

What are some real-life examples of conservation of linear and angular momentum?

One example of conservation of linear momentum is when a billiards ball collides with another billiards ball, transferring its momentum. An example of conservation of angular momentum is when an ice skater spins faster by pulling in their arms, reducing their moment of inertia and conserving their angular momentum.

How does conservation of momentum apply to the laws of motion?

Conservation of momentum is a fundamental principle that applies to Newton's laws of motion. It helps explain why objects maintain their motion or state of rest unless acted upon by an external force, as stated in Newton's first law.

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