Collision of particle with plate

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a uniform square plate that can rotate about a vertical axis and a particle colliding elastically with it. The objective is to determine the angular velocity of the plate after the collision, given the initial conditions of the system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of angular momentum and question the moment of inertia used in the calculations. There is a focus on the relationship between the velocities before and after the collision.

Discussion Status

Some participants have pointed out potential issues with the moment of inertia used in the original calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct values and relationships involved in the problem, but no consensus has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of elastic collision principles and the specific geometry of the plate. The discussion includes checking assumptions about the moment of inertia and the setup of the problem.

utkarshakash
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Homework Statement


A uniform square plate of mass m and side a can freely rotate about a vertical axis passing through one edge. It is initially at rest. A particle of mass m is moving horizontally and perpendicular to the plane of the plate with velocity u. The particle collides with the plate elastically at the centre of the plate. Find the angular velocity of the plate just after collision.


The Attempt at a Solution



Applying conservation of angular momentum about the vertical axis,

[itex]mua/2 = mu'a/2 + \dfrac{ma^2}{12} \omega[/itex]

Since the particle elastically collides with the center of plate,

[itex]\omega \dfrac{a}{2} - u' = u[/itex]

where u' is velocity of particle after collision.

Doing this way gives me wrong answer! :frown: Any ideas where I'm going wrong?
 
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utkarshakash said:

Homework Statement


A uniform square plate of mass m and side a can freely rotate about a vertical axis passing through one edge. It is initially at rest. A particle of mass m is moving horizontally and perpendicular to the plane of the plate with velocity u. The particle collides with the plate elastically at the centre of the plate. Find the angular velocity of the plate just after collision.


The Attempt at a Solution



Applying conservation of angular momentum about the vertical axis,

[itex]mua/2 = mu'a/2 + \dfrac{ma^2}{12} \omega[/itex]

Since the particle elastically collides with the center of plate,

[itex]\omega \dfrac{a}{2} - u' = u[/itex]

where u' is velocity of particle after collision.

Doing this way gives me wrong answer! :frown: Any ideas where I'm going wrong?

Hi utkarshakash!

The moment of inertia seems to be incorrect.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
Hi utkarshakash!

The moment of inertia seems to be incorrect.

Should it be (ma^2)/3?
 
utkarshakash said:
Should it be (ma^2)/3?

Yes, looks correct to me. :)
 

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