LCSphysicist
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The discussion centers on the application of conservation of momentum in elastic collisions, specifically involving a block and particles with significantly different masses. Participants analyze the recursive equation for the velocity after multiple collisions, represented as $$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$. The conversation highlights the importance of proper approximations when dealing with mass ratios, particularly when $$\delta m << m$$. Participants also explore the implications of changing reference frames and the conditions under which momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
PREREQUISITESPhysics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of elastic collisions and the mathematical modeling of motion in different reference frames.
I use wolframalpha to solve this, because i am little tired now, but we have:Delta2 said:I suggest you have a look at the formulas here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elastic_collision#One-dimensional_Newtonian and do the proper approximations for the case that ##m_2=\delta m<<m=m_1##.
According to one approximation I can see for this case (namely that ##m+\delta m\approx m## )we ll have $$v_{n+1}=(1-\frac{\delta m}{m})v_{n}+\frac{2\delta m}{m}v_0$$. What do you get for ##v_n## ( the velocity after the n-th collision) if you solve this recursive equation?
How do you get the ##2V+v_0##? Does your equation make sense when ##V=v_0##?LCSphysicist said:Homework Statement:: A trouble with quantity of motion, impulse and force.
Relevant Equations:: All below
View attachment 264180
I thought i could apply a conservation of momentum in this case,
View attachment 264183View attachment 264182
Apparently, this is not right, so i don't know what to do now.
You are doing to much on behalf of the OP. Please just provide hints and point out errors, at least to begin with.Delta2 said:The exact recursive equation I get (without approximations) is
$$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$
I wonder i could change to the reference of the block, but this is leading me to some contradictions. I don't know why, see example:haruspex said:How do you get the ##2V+v_0##? Does your equation make sense when ##V=v_0##?
You must need to use the elasticity somewhere.
In this cases that have something a >> b, i always try to put b/a and so i cut this terms, because is nearly zero, but in this case seems that don't match, i will try by another approximations.Delta2 said:The exact recursive equation I get (without approximations) is
$$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$
Delta2 said:The exact recursive equation I get (without approximations) is
$$v_{n+1}=\frac{m-\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_n+\frac{2\delta m}{m+\delta m}v_0$$
There is any error in see by this way?LCSphysicist said:I wonder i could change to the reference of the block, but this is leading me to some contradictions. I don't know why, see example:
A ball is going with 50m/s, and the block 30m/s.
Now the ball has 20m/s in block frame, and go back with -20m/s
But in the block frame, the ball has
+20 + 30 = +50
-20 + 30 = +10, what is wrong, because the ball need to back off.
Considering the mass of the block very large with respect to the ball.
Maybe i just can use this when the two blocks are approximating?
LCSphysicist said:I am just stuck in this,
There is any error in see by this way?
Then either momentum is not conserved or the block has turned into a brick wall.LCSphysicist said:Now the ball has 20m/s in block frame, and go back with -20m/s