The forum discussion centers on calculating the final velocities of two identical plates on ice after a rabbit jumps between them. The rabbit, weighing 0.742 kg, jumps off the left plate with a velocity of 3.00 m/s, causing the left plate (12.8 kg) to move in the opposite direction due to conservation of momentum. The calculations reveal that the final velocity of the right plate is 0.173 m/s, while the left plate's final velocity is -0.164 m/s after the rabbit jumps back. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly applying conservation of momentum and sign conventions in physics problems.
PREREQUISITESStudents studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators looking for examples of momentum conservation in action.
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}