Collisions and conservation of momentum

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving collisions and the conservation of momentum, specifically focusing on an elastic collision between two carts on a frictionless air track. The original poster presents a scenario with given masses and velocities, seeking assistance particularly with calculating the speed of the center of mass after the collision.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the definition of center of mass and its relevance to the problem. The original poster expresses uncertainty about calculating the center of mass speed, while others emphasize the importance of understanding key concepts.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants questioning the definitions and concepts related to center of mass. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to understand these terms, but no consensus or resolution has been reached regarding the specific calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of explicit information regarding the definitions and concepts that the original poster may need to clarify their understanding of center of mass. The problem constraints and the nature of the collision are acknowledged, but not resolved.

sstangle73
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
A cart with mass 370 g moving on a frictionless linear air track at an initial speed of 1.7 m/s undergoes an elastic collision with an initially stationary cart of unknown mass. After the collision, the first cart continues in its original direction at 0.42 m/s.
(a) What is the mass of the second cart?
223.3 g
(b) What is its speed after impact?
2.12 m/s
(c) What is the speed of the two-cart center of mass?
?? m/s

Cant get part c?
Any help is appreciated
 
Physics news on Phys.org


How is the center of mass defined?

ehild
 


That is all the information given
 


You have to know the definitions of terms in a problem. What have you learned about center of mass?

Read this: http://online.physics.uiuc.edu/courses/phys211/spring10/Text/ch10.pdf

ehild
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Momentum: why don't the two carts become one?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Ambiguous question on momentum and how it works...
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
Explosion of 2 Carts on a Platform (Momentum)
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
5K
Cart/putty collision question (conservation of momentum)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
Spring momentum conservation problem
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
A bullet collides perfectly elastically with one end of a rod
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Momentum, collision of two cars problem
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
Conservation of Momentum Lab (Carts Collide and Stick Together)
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Hinged rod rotating, falling and hitting a mass
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Why is momentum conservation always true in a collision?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K