- #1
Mr Davis 97
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Homework Statement
A one-dimensional stream of particles of mass ##m## with density ##\lambda## particles per unit length, moving with speed ##v##, reflects back from a surface, leaving with a different speed ##v'##, as shown. Find the force on the surface
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
The incoming momentum of the particle stream is ##\lambda m v^2## and the outgoing momentum is ##\lambda m v'^2##, thus the change in momentum of the particle stream by the mirror is ##\lambda m (v^2 + v'^2)##. Thus the force on the mirror is also ##\lambda m (v^2 + v'^2)##.
Is this correct?