Calculate the velocity of the boat

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    Boat Velocity
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the velocity of a boat after a child throws a package from it, utilizing principles of momentum conservation. The problem also touches on the relationship between speed increase and braking distance in a separate context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of conservation of momentum, questioning how to account for the child’s mass in the calculations. There are discussions about the need for time information in the first problem and the relationship between kinetic energy and braking distance in the second problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using momentum conservation and considering the combined mass of the child and boat. There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations involved, with some participants questioning their own understanding and calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the calculations and the assumptions made, such as ignoring water resistance and the role of time in the first problem. There is also mention of potential errors in mathematical reasoning.

MIA6
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1. A child in a boat throws a 6.40-kg package out horizontally with a speed of 10.0 m/s. Calculate the velocity of the boat immediately after, assuming it was initially at rest. The mass of the child is 26.0 kg, and that of the boat is 45.0 kg. Ignore water resistance.
Should I use conservation of momentum to solve it? But here the two objects are package and boat? how about the child?
2. If the speed of a car is increased by 50%, by what factor will its minimum braking distance be increased, assuming all else is the same? Ignore the driver's reaction time.
I have no any clue for this one.
Hope you can give me some hint, thanks.
 
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Should I use conservation of momentum to solve it?
Yes.
But here the two objects are package and boat? how about the child?
Here if the child remains at rest while throughing the packet, then you have to consider the combined mass of child and boat.
In problem 2, calculate the increase in the KE when the speed increases by 50% and see how the KE and braking distance are related
 
I have not considered #2 but for #1, is not time information needed (acceleration of the package / time taken for it to reach 10 m/s) in order to answer the question?
 
Please excuse my cerebral lapse. Of course, velocity can be calculated by dividing momentum over mass. So the momentum of the stone, 6.4 kg ms, over the combined mass of the child and boat would give the boat a velocity of 6.4 / 71 = ~0.09 m/s, ignoring resistance.
 
MIA6 said:
1. A child in a boat throws a 6.40-kg package out horizontally with a speed of 10.0 m/s. Calculate the velocity of the boat immediately after, assuming it was initially at rest. .

I think you have a little math error, you've stated the momentum is 6.4 kg m/s, but you perhaps forgot to multiply the 6.4 kg by 10 m/s?

Or is it me, I'm a little rusty.
 
Yet another failure on my part. I have lost so many marks through silly errors such as this. The answer, unless I am again mistaken is:

V = p/m = (6.4 * 10) / 71 = 64 / 71 = ~0.9 m/s
 
Last edited:

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