Calculating new velocity from velocity and momentum? Confusing

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem related to momentum and velocity, specifically focusing on a skater's motion. The original poster seeks assistance in calculating the new velocity of a skater given their initial conditions and a rate of change in momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of momentum equations, including both classical and relativistic forms. There is an exploration of the meaning of the rate of change of momentum and its implications for calculating new velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered equations and clarifications regarding the momentum change, while others are seeking further understanding of the notation and mathematical implications. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the momentum vector components.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the skater's mass and initial velocity, as well as the specific rate of change of momentum in different directions. The discussion includes questions about the notation used for vector representation in three-dimensional space.

lovesam
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Hiya! Sam here,...and I'm new. I need help with this online homework problem. To be honeset, I have no idea where to even begin. I've tried the momentum equation where mass times velocity times a proportionality factor gamma, and I think it's the wrong start. Please help??

Question: A skater with a mass of 85kg is moving with a velocity of <3,1,0> m/s at t=3.2 s. If their momentum changes at a rate of <0, 170, 0> kg m/s^2 until t=3.7s, what is their new velocity?
 
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Maybe you can use this equation...

[itex]\dot{p}=m\frac{\Delta v}{t}=ma[/itex]
 
lovesam said:
Hiya! Sam here,...and I'm new. I need help with this online homework problem. To be honeset, I have no idea where to even begin. I've tried the momentum equation where mass times velocity times a proportionality factor gamma, and I think it's the wrong start. Please help??

Question: A skater with a mass of 85kg is moving with a velocity of <3,1,0> m/s at t=3.2 s. If their momentum changes at a rate of <0, 170, 0> kg m/s^2 until t=3.7s, what is their new velocity?

p=γmv is appropriate for relativistic velocities, this is clearly not the case here so you can use the classical form p=mv. It wouldn't be wrong to use the former eqn but γ would just be 1.

Can you write what 'If their momentum changes at a rate of <0, 170, 0> kg m/s^2' means mathematically?
 
CAF123 said:
p=γmv is appropriate for relativistic velocities, this is clearly not the case here so you can use the classical form p=mv. It wouldn't be wrong to use the former eqn but γ would just be 1.

Can you write what 'If their momentum changes at a rate of <0, 170, 0> kg m/s^2' means mathematically?

Thank you! I'll try what you have given me.
Unfortunately, I do no quite understand what you mean in your question...:confused:
 
lovesam said:
Thank you! I'll try what you have given me.
Unfortunately, I do no quite understand what you mean in your question...:confused:

Do you understand the notation <..,...,...>? It is a vector in 3D space, so here the entries represent x, y and z directions. The rate of change of momentum in x and z directions are zero, while that in y is non zero:$$\frac{dp_x}{dt}= \frac{dp_z}{dt}= 0\,\,\,\text{while}\,\,\,\frac{dp_y}{dt} = 170$$ You can use the last equation to get eqn for momentum in y between the two times given.
 

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