- #1
Nanyang
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Hi everyone, this is a problem I posted here a month ago but it wasn't given any attention from the helpers here. I still cannot solve it. So I will greatly appreciate any help.
1. Homework Statement
Three small balls of masses m, 2m and 3m are placed on a smooth horizontal surface so that they lie on the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The masses m and 2m, as well as 2m and 3m, are connected by light inextensible strings. Initially the strings are taut and the mass m is given a velocity v on the surface in a direction parallel to the string connecting 3m and 2m. With what velocity does mass 3m eventually starts moving? (Neglect friction and the mass of the strings.)
Refer to http://www.feynmanlectures.info/exercises/three_balls.html for the diagram.
2. Homework Equations
I guess it would be the conservation of momentum.
3. The Attempt at a Solution
I wrote down the equation for momentum conservation
mv = mv1 + 2mv2 + 3mv3
Anyway I don't even understand the problem in the first place.
So I am here to seek help, again.
1. Homework Statement
Three small balls of masses m, 2m and 3m are placed on a smooth horizontal surface so that they lie on the vertices of an equilateral triangle. The masses m and 2m, as well as 2m and 3m, are connected by light inextensible strings. Initially the strings are taut and the mass m is given a velocity v on the surface in a direction parallel to the string connecting 3m and 2m. With what velocity does mass 3m eventually starts moving? (Neglect friction and the mass of the strings.)
Refer to http://www.feynmanlectures.info/exercises/three_balls.html for the diagram.
2. Homework Equations
I guess it would be the conservation of momentum.
3. The Attempt at a Solution
I wrote down the equation for momentum conservation
mv = mv1 + 2mv2 + 3mv3
Anyway I don't even understand the problem in the first place.
So I am here to seek help, again.
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