Change of momentum and kinetic energy

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of change of momentum and kinetic energy, specifically in the context of a particle decelerating to rest under a constant force. Participants are examining the application of the impulse formula and the work-energy principle to calculate force and understand discrepancies in results.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use both the impulse formula and the work-energy principle to find the force acting on a particle. They express confusion over differing results obtained from these methods.
  • Some participants question the assumptions made regarding constant velocity and acceleration, suggesting that the integration approach used by the original poster may be incorrect.
  • Others propose using kinematic equations to find acceleration and force, emphasizing the need for negative acceleration due to deceleration.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's calculations, providing alternative methods and corrections. There is a clear exploration of different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the application of kinematic principles and the implications of constant versus changing velocity.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the application of formulas and the assumptions about motion, particularly the need to account for negative acceleration in the context of deceleration. The discussion reflects an ongoing examination of these concepts without reaching a definitive resolution.

kgthatsme
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Im probably being stupid here but I am confused as to when you can use the impulse formula: I = F*t and when you use F*d = 0.5mv^2 for finding a constant applied force.

If a particle's moving at a constant velocity decelerating to 0m/s in a set distance when acted upon by a constant force f, the force I calculate is double when I use I = F*t (momentum lost = force * time of application) than that of when I use
KE lost = Work done = F*d


e.g m= 3Kg u = 4m/s stopping distance(x)= 5m

Using momentum: I = mv - mu = 12Ns

meanwhile v=4 m/s
therefore dx = 4t by integration
ds = 5m
therefore t = 5/4 s


So using I = F*t
F= I/t
F= 12/1.25
F= 9.6N

Using K.E
KE lost = Work done = F*x

F*x = 0.5mv^2
F*x = 0.5*3*4^2
F*x = 24
x=5m
therefore F= 24/5
F= 4.8 N


Why is this half? :confused:
 
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So you're trying to compute the force...This means finding the acceleration,which means that the velocity is not constant,which means that your integration was wrong...The whole post is wrong,actually.

For constant accelerated movement,we know Galilei's formula:
[tex]v^{2}_{fin.}=v^{2}_{init.}+2a x[/tex]
If the final velocity is 0,and the initial one is 4m/s,then,for the distance of movement x=5m,then the acceleration is negative and found to be
[tex]a=-\frac{8}{5}ms^{-2}[/tex]
For a body of mass "m=3kg",the force of deceleration is negative as well and
[tex]F=ma=-\frac{24}{5}N=-4.8 N[/tex]
,which is exactly what u get by applying the KE conservation law.
U did that wrongly and u ended up without the minus.

Daniel.
 
kgthatsme said:
meanwhile v=4 m/s
therefore dx = 4t by integration
ds = 5m
therefore t = 5/4 s

This wrong because you also need to calculate the negative acceleration that expresses the fact that you slow down. x =4t is wrong...

You can easely calculate this velocity if you know that the initial velocity is 4 m/s and the stopping distance is 3 meters. Just use : x = x_0 + 4t -at²/2 and (x_0 is the initial position)

v = 4 -at. When x-x_0 is 3 you have stopped thus v = 0. so t = 4/a and substitute this in the first equation to find the magnitude of a. Remeber that is a MUST be negative...


then move on just like you did...
regards
marlon
 
Last edited:
This may help you: plot v as a function of t assuming a constant deceleration. It will be a straight line with slope [itex]a = \Delta v/\Delta t[/itex]. The area under the graph is the distance. You can see that it is:

[tex]s = \frac{1}{2}\Delta v\Delta t[/tex]

AM
 
many thanks
 

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