Angular velocity of a bullet and two masses

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the angular velocity of a bullet and two masses involved in a collision, specifically focusing on the dynamics of the system post-collision. The context includes concepts from mechanics, particularly relating to angular momentum and collisions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the bullet hitting the center of mass of the string and its effect on angular velocity. There are discussions about the nature of the collision (elastic vs. inelastic) and the expected motion of the masses post-collision. Questions arise regarding the choice of reference points for angular momentum calculations and the interpretation of figures provided in the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored. Some participants have offered insights into the nature of the collision and the expected behavior of the system, while others are questioning assumptions and clarifying the problem's requirements. There is no explicit consensus yet on the final interpretation or approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem does not specify whether the collision is elastic or inelastic, leading to differing assumptions about the final state of the system. Additionally, there are concerns about the clarity of the figures provided in the problem statement.

Like Tony Stark
Messages
182
Reaction score
6
Homework Statement
Consider the picture attached. Suppose that the bullet has a mass ##m_0## and initial velocity ##v_0##, and suppose that the masses has mass ##m##. The length of the string is ##2b## and ##\theta=90°##
What's the final velocity and angular velocity
Relevant Equations
##P=ccte##
As ##P=ccte## we can find final velocity considering a plastic collision
##m_0 . v_0 =(2m+m_0).V##

But what about the angular velocity? Because, as the bullet hits the centre of mass of the string, it won't have angular velocity
 

Attachments

  • 20200204_215858.jpg
    20200204_215858.jpg
    14.1 KB · Views: 267
Physics news on Phys.org
Like Tony Stark said:
Relevant Equations:: ##P=ccte##

as the bullet hits the centre of mass of the string, it won't have angular velocity
I assume "ccte" is an abbreviation for constant in some language.

Angular velocity is, in general, in respect of a chosen axis. Maybe it would help to choose a different one.

Edit... on second thoughts, not sure that helps. But it is something you ought to try.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Like Tony Stark
Respect to the middle of the line, it's right that the total angular momentum of the system is zero(cause the angular velocity is zero), please verify that the angular momentum is still zero after the collision respect to the same point.
 
Like Tony Stark said:
plastic collision
Did you mean inelastic? What makes you think so?
 
wxhoho said:
cause the angular velocity is zero
Angular velocity is a characteristic of rigid systems. You do not have a rigid system here. Pieces of the system may still rotate rigidly and have angular velocities about carefully chosen axes.

What is the expected final state here? Are the two masses expected to bump into each other? Or are we expecting a stable orbit of the two masses tethered to the still-moving bullet? What question is being asked?
 
My interpretation is that one is asked to describe the motion of the two masses and the bullet after the collision with the connecting chord and while the two masses are moving towards each other as suggested in the three figures. The angular velocity mentioned by OP would be that of either mass about the moving bullet. The middle figure (b) suggests that the connecting chord is elastic because it shows that the masses have not moved while the chord is stretched. Upon closer inspection, one must conclude that the middle figure is poorly drawn because the length of the connecting chord is explicitly labeled b + b in all three figures.
 
haruspex said:
Did you mean inelastic? What makes you think so?
Because I considered that the two balls and the bullet remain as "one body" since they have the same velocity
 
jbriggs444 said:
What is the expected final state here? Are the two masses expected to bump into each other? Or are we expecting a stable orbit of the two masses tethered to the still-moving bullet? What question is being asked?

It's not said in the question. I think we can consider that the balls may collide inelastically or elastically.
I considered the first option so that the balls and the bullet move with same velocity
 
Like Tony Stark said:
Because I considered that the two balls and the bullet remain as "one body" since they have the same velocity
Certainly there is a loss of KE associated with the forward velocity of the whole system, but this is not a simple coalescence. There is an obvious place for that energy to go.
 
  • #10
kuruman said:
My interpretation is that one is asked to describe the motion of the two masses and the bullet after the collision with the connecting chord and while the two masses are moving towards each other as suggested in the three figures. The angular velocity mentioned by OP would be that of either mass about the moving bullet. The middle figure (b) suggests that the connecting chord is elastic because it shows that the masses have not moved while the chord is stretched. Upon closer inspection, one must conclude that the middle figure is poorly drawn because the length of the connecting chord is explicitly labeled b + b in all three figures.
Maybe I am asked to find the angular velocity of the balls when they sweep 90°
 
  • #11
haruspex said:
Certainly there is a loss of KE associated with the forward velocity of the whole system, but this is not a simple coalescence. There is an obvious place for that energy to go.
And what if the string is not elastic?
 
  • #12
Like Tony Stark said:
And what if the string is not elastic?
It is not necessary for the string to be elastic. There is no abrupt change in velocity; it is a smooth transition.
You could solve this problem in terms of forces and accelerations, but on performing the first integration I believe you will simply get an energy conservation equation.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Like Tony Stark
  • #13
Like Tony Stark said:
Maybe I am asked to find the angular velocity of the balls when they sweep 90°
That you can do by conserving kinetic energy and linear momentum. Why do you say "maybe"? Don't you know what the problem is asking?
 

Similar threads

Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 71 ·
3
Replies
71
Views
4K
  • · Replies 57 ·
2
Replies
57
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
67
Views
4K
Replies
23
Views
2K
Replies
38
Views
4K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
5K