Calculating Speed of a Popsicle Stick in Water After a Bee Lands [SOLVED]

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the speed of a popsicle stick in water after a honeybee lands on it and begins to move. The context includes concepts from motion and momentum, specifically relating to the interaction between the bee and the stick.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of momentum conservation, with attempts to set up the equation m1v1 + m2v2 = 0. There are questions regarding unit conversions and the correctness of the calculated speeds.

Discussion Status

Several participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem and the calculations involved. There is a recognition of errors in unit conversion and sign usage, with some guidance offered on recalculating based on these corrections.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the bee's motion affects the stick's speed, and there are discussions about the correct conversion between centimeters and millimeters. The original poster's understanding of the problem is noted as unclear.

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[SOLVED] motion of a bee

Homework Statement


A honeybee with a mass of 0.175 g lands on one end of a popsicle stick (Active Example 9-2). After sitting at rest for a moment, the bee runs toward the other end with a velocity 1.69 cm/s relative to the still water. What is the speed of the 4.95 g stick relative to the water? (Assume the bee's motion is in the negative direction.)

Answer is in mm/s

Homework Equations


m1v1+m2v2


The Attempt at a Solution



I tried this 0+0=m1v1+m2v2 and plugged in 0=(0.175*-1690)+(4.95*v) and solved for v and got 59.7 mm/s but it was wrong.

** The bee is moving towards the right and the stick in floating in the water's direction towards the left.
 
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Your conversion to millimeters is incorrect:

1mm=.1 cm

not .001 cm as you seem to be using.

Try redoing the problem with the new conversion. Is your answer correct now?
 
So the answer is 597 mm/s? did i do everything else right? i didn't really understand the problem.
 
i just entered it and it's wrong.
 
Ok i see what i did wrong instead of -16.9 i did 169 so my final answer recalculated is 0.597 mm/s...correct?
 
mortho said:
Ok i see what i did wrong instead of -16.9 i did 169 so my final answer recalculated is 0.597 mm/s...correct?

Yes, I agree with that.
 
Thanks!
 
Anytime!:smile:
 

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