- #1
hairetikos
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Homework Statement
Starting from rest, two identical boxes are pushed through the same distance. Box A experiences a force F, while box B experience a force 2F. What is true about their final speeds?- The final speed of box A is twice that of box B.
- The final speed of box A is equal to that of box B.
- Something else.
- The final speed of box A is half that of box B.
I also got a hint: "Choose the box as your system, what does the energy principle tell you about the change in kinetic energy? What can you then conclude about the final speeds?"
Homework Equations
The chapter this is relevant to is about energy, but I'm not entirely sure if I need an energy equation because I think this is more concept-focused. The equation I tried to use was F=mv.
The Attempt at a Solution
I tried thinking about F=mvA/t and then 2F=mvB/t. I solved for v in both of these and got vA=Ft/m and vB=2Ft/m. This seems to indicate that one velocity is twice the other. However, I tried that answer and it was wrong. I only have one more try so I want to be fully sure that I understand before I just start guessing.
Right now, I'm torn between saying that the velocities are equal, and that the answer is something else entirely.
Based on the hint above, I'm inclined to think that the two systems have equal total energy, but I'm not sure how this relates to their final velocity.
Thanks in advance for any help!