The discussion revolves around calculating the final velocities of identical plates on ice after a rabbit jumps between them. The problem involves concepts from momentum conservation and dynamics, specifically focusing on the interactions between the rabbit and the plates during the jumps.
Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing their attempts and questioning each other's reasoning. Some have offered guidance on applying conservation principles, while others express confusion about sign conventions and the implications of the rabbit's momentum on the plates.
There are indications of varying assumptions regarding the initial conditions and the direction of velocities, which may affect the calculations. Some participants mention specific numerical values and results, but there is no consensus on the correct approach or final outcomes.
Good. And you know (are given) the final speed of the rabbit after it jumps. So use that to figure out the final speed of the plate.ghostanime2001 said:(when the rabbit jumps FROM the right plate back to the left plate):
Before jump = After jump
m_{R}\left(v_{i}\right)_{R}+m_{p}\left(v_{i}\right)_{p}=m_{R}\left(v_{f}\right)_{R}+m_{p}\left(v_{f}\right)_{p}
\left(m_{R} + m_{p}\right)v_{f}=m_{R}\left(v_{f}\right)_{R}+m_{p}\left(v_{f}\right)_{p}
\left(m_{R} + m_{p}\right)v_{f}=m_{R}\left(v_{f}\right)_{R}+m_{p}\left(v_{f}\right)_{p}