Calculating Tank Velocity and Stopping Time Due to Rain Drops

  • Thread starter Thread starter MathematicalPhysicist
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Tank Water
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a tank with mass M moving on a surface with friction coefficients \mu_{s} and \mu_{k}. Rain drops are falling onto the tank at an angle \alpha with speed V, adding mass at a constant rate Q. The discussion centers around determining the conditions for the tank to start moving, its velocity as a function of time, and the time until it stops.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conditions under which the tank will start moving, focusing on the relationship between momentum change and static friction. There are attempts to derive equations for the tank's velocity and stopping time based on the forces acting on it. Questions arise regarding the treatment of momentum in both x and y directions, particularly concerning the effects of the rain.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring the dynamics of the problem, with some providing insights into the relationship between mass accumulation and frictional forces. There is a recognition of the need to clarify the conditions for movement and the implications of the rain's effect on the tank's momentum.

Contextual Notes

There are ongoing discussions about the assumptions made regarding the tank's movement on a horizontal surface and the implications of the rain's vertical force on the tank's overall dynamics. Participants are questioning the definitions and setups used in their equations.

MathematicalPhysicist
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
4,662
Reaction score
372
Problem stated
A tank (which its area of its corners is negligble) with mass M, moves on a surface with coefficients of friction between the surface and the tank [tex]\mu_{s} \mu_{k}[/tex] (static and kinetic).Rain drops are dropping on the tank with angle [tex]\alpha[/tex] with speed V, the water comes to the tank with constant dm/dt=Q, in t=0 the tank is at rest.
1.what is the condition that the tank will move from its initial place?
2.assume the codnition in 1 is satisfied find the velocity of the tank as a function of time?
3.how much time will elapse until the tank is stopped?

attempt at solution
1. I think the condition is that: [tex]\frac{dp_x}{dt}=\mu_kMg[/tex]
and [tex]\frac{dp_y}{dt}=0[/tex]
2. now when i open these terms i get: [tex]Q*(Vcos(\alpha)-v_x)+(M+Qt)\frac{dv_x}{dt}=\mu_kMg;-Q(Vsin(\alpha)-v_y)+(M+Qt)\frac{dv_y}{dt}=0[/tex] now after integration i get that:
[tex]v_y=(Vsin(\alpha))*(1-(Qt+M)/M);v_x=\frac{(\mu_kMg+QVcos(\alpha))(1-M/(M+Qt))}{Q}[/tex] but i don't see how to get from this when will the tank stop, according to these equations i get that it will not stop, so i guess something is wrong in my reasoning, any hints ,tips, encouragements, are welcomed. (-:
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
loop quantum gravity said:
Problem stated
A tank (which its area of its corners is negligble) with mass M, moves on a surface with coefficients of friction between the surface and the tank [tex]\mu_{s} \mu_{k}[/tex] (static and kinetic).Rain drops are dropping on the tank with angle [tex]\alpha[/tex] with speed V, the water comes to the tank with constant dm/dt=Q, in t=0 the tank is at rest.
1.what is the condition that the tank will move from its initial place?
2.assume the codnition in 1 is satisfied find the velocity of the tank as a function of time?
3.how much time will elapse until the tank is stopped?

attempt at solution
1. I think the condition is that: [tex]\frac{dp_x}{dt}=\mu_kMg[/tex]
and [tex]\frac{dp_y}{dt}=0[/tex]
2. now when i open these terms i get: [tex]Q*(Vcos(\alpha)-v_x)+(M+Qt)\frac{dv_x}{dt}=\mu_kMg;-Q(Vsin(\alpha)-v_y)+(M+Qt)\frac{dv_y}{dt}=0[/tex] now after integration i get that:
[tex]v_y=(Vsin(\alpha))*(1-(Qt+M)/M);v_x=\frac{(\mu_kMg+QVcos(\alpha))(1-M/(M+Qt))}{Q}[/tex] but i don't see how to get from this when will the tank stop, according to these equations i get that it will not stop, so i guess something is wrong in my reasoning, any hints ,tips, encouragements, are welcomed. (-:

The tank will move when the x-component of the momentum exceeds the static friction force on the tank, which is initially at rest [tex]\mu_sMg[/tex].

[tex]\frac{dp_x}{dt} > \mu_sMg[/tex] and one must find that in terms of Q, V and [itex]\alpha[/itex]

Then as it rains 'constantly', the applied force is constant (verify this), BUT the tank is accumulating mass at a rate Q.

Then as the tank accumulates mass, the dynamic friction force is increasing
[tex]\mu_k(M+Qt)g[/tex]
 
you mean greater or equals.
so the equation should be, for the change in momentum in the x direction instead of [tex]\mu_kMg[/tex] it should be [tex]\mu_k(M+{Qt)g[/tex], correct?
btw, what with the change of momentum in the y direction? because of the y component of the speed of the rain drops?
 
loop quantum gravity said:
you mean greater or equals.
so the equation should be, for the change in momentum in the x direction
In the case of starting to move, the force applied must be greater than the static friction force. If the equal to the friction force, the tank still does not move.

instead of [tex]\mu_kMg[/tex] it should be [tex]\mu_k(M+Qt)g[/tex], correct?
M(t) = M + Qt, so apply M(t) where appropriate.

Starting at rest, M(t) = M.

btw, what with the change of momentum in the y direction? because of the y component of the speed of the rain drops?
Oviously, he momentum of the tank does not change in the y-direction, but the momentum imparted by the rain does produce a vertical force on the tank, which would be as one treats the weight with respect to friction.
 
so it should be dp_y/dt=M(t)g?
 
loop quantum gravity said:
so it should be dp_y/dt=M(t)g?
No, the tank does not gain momentum in the y-direction, assuming it is on a level (horizontal) surface. The rain imparts a constant force related to QV, where Q = dm/dt. So the normal force on the tank is (M(t) + QV)g to which friction is proportional.

On a horizontal surface vy of the tank is zero.
 
so what is the equation of motion?
shouldn't it be: (M(t)g+QV)?
so the equation of motion should be something like this:
[tex]\mu_k(M(t)g+QVsin(\alpha))=Q(Vcos(\alpha)-v_x)+M(t)\frac{dv}{dt}[/tex] where [tex]M(t)=M0+Qt[/tex], correct or wrong again?
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
2K