Alternate Solution to Conservation of Momentum Problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on solving a collision problem involving a 2000 kg truck and two other vehicles using energy rather than the conservation of momentum. The user initially calculated the final speed and angle of the entangled vehicles but found discrepancies in their results. Key insights reveal that kinetic energy is not conserved in collisions, while momentum is always conserved, clarifying the user's misunderstanding of the principles involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum in collisions
  • Basic principles of kinetic energy
  • Familiarity with vector addition in physics
  • Knowledge of collision types (elastic vs. inelastic)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of conservation of momentum in various collision scenarios
  • Learn about inelastic collisions and how they differ from elastic collisions
  • Explore vector addition techniques for calculating resultant velocities
  • Review examples of collision problems involving multiple objects
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding collision dynamics and the application of conservation laws in problem-solving.

aboakye
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I solved the following problem using Energy instead of conservation of momentum. Unfortunately, my answer is different from the expected solution. I'm not sure why my method doesn't work.

Any insights would be appreciated!

Problem:
A 2000 kg truck is traveling east through an intersection at 2 m/s when it is hit simultaneously from the side and the rear. One car is a 1000 kg compact traveling north at 5 m/s. The other car is a 1500 kg midsize traveling east at 10 m/s. The three vehicles become entangled and slide at one body. What are their speeds and direction just after the collision?

My Attempt:
Energy east/x: (1/2)*1500*100 + (1/2)*2000*4 = 79 kJ
Energy north/y: (1/2)*1000*25 = 12.5 kJ

Final speed: \sqrt{2.2^{2} + 5.92^{2} } = 6.32 m/s
@Angle: tan^{-1}(2.2/5.92) = 20.4°

Solution:
mvxfinal = 1500*100 + 2000*4 solve for v in x-dir
mvyfinal = 1000*5 solve for v in y-dir
 
Physics news on Phys.org
aboakye said:
I solved the following problem using Energy instead of conservation of momentum. Unfortunately, my answer is different from the expected solution. I'm not sure why my method doesn't work.
The vehicles become entangled. Kinetic energy is not conserved! (But momentum is.)
 
welcome to pf!

hi aboakye! welcome to pf! :smile:

energy is never conserved in a collision unless the question says it is! :wink:

(but momentum is always conserved in a collision, in any direction in which there is no external impulse)
 
Thanks Doc Al & tiny-tim!

That clarifies it
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
980
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
9K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
909