Alternate Solution to Conservation of Momentum Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a collision scenario where a truck and two cars collide, and the original poster attempts to solve it using energy conservation rather than momentum conservation. The context is centered around the principles of momentum and energy in collisions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the validity of using energy conservation in collision problems, with some noting that kinetic energy is not conserved in inelastic collisions. The original poster questions why their energy-based method yields a different result from expected outcomes.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided clarifications regarding the conservation of momentum versus energy in collisions, emphasizing that momentum is conserved while kinetic energy is not. The discussion appears to be productive, with insights being shared about the principles involved.

Contextual Notes

There is an assumption that the collision is inelastic since the vehicles become entangled, which affects the conservation of kinetic energy. The original poster's approach may be constrained by a misunderstanding of these principles.

aboakye
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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
 
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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
 

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