A classmate and I have come up with somewhat of an answer:
Power based on ΔKE is half the power based on force. This is because when based on force, the power formula uses the average velocity, while the ΔKE-based power uses only the final velocity. Given that the actual power required is...
I was thinking the outside force would be something like the force of a box being dropped, causing oscillations, like you said, or friction.
To figure out momentum change, I need to know the time during which the force is applied. Ft = mΔv
That leads me back to my original thinking; we're not...
Now that I think about it, an outside force can complicate both conservation of energy AND conservation of momentum, so neither power formula is totally valid here. I need to think about which one is more "messed up" if outside forces come into play.
Hi, haruspex, thanks for the response. I think it's conservation of energy versus conservation of momentum. Perhaps it's accurate to say that power based on force and velocity is more accurate than that based on kinetic energy because there are likely factors that complicate the conservation of...
Hi, everyone, this is my first time posting.
I have a problem set that states "A machine at a packaging facility places stationary packages of mass m onto a horizontal conveyor belt that is moving packages steadily and horizontally at speed v. Once placed on the belt, the packages start moving...