Conservation of linear momentum

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daivinhtran
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Homework Statement


A runaway 14,000 kg railroad car is rolling horizontally at 4.00 m/s toward a switchyard. As it passes by a grain elevator, 2000 of grain suddenly drops into the car. Suppose the there is a small vertical chute in the bottom of the car so that the grain leaks out at 10 kg/s. How long does it take the car to cover 500m


Homework Equations


Pi = Pf



The Attempt at a Solution


Picture attached
 

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daivinhtran said:

Homework Statement


A runaway 14,000 kg railroad car is rolling horizontally at 4.00 m/s toward a switchyard. As it passes by a grain elevator, 2000 of grain suddenly drops into the car. Suppose the there is a small vertical chute in the bottom of the car so that the grain leaks out at 10 kg/s. How long does it take the car to cover 500m


Homework Equations


Pi = Pf



The Attempt at a Solution


Picture attached
What is the initial horizontal momentum of the car and how does that relate to the horizontal momentum of the car + grain after the grain drops? Can you determine the speed of the car + grain after the drop? What effect does the vertical leak of grain have on the horizontal speed of the car?

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
What is the initial horizontal momentum of the car and how does that relate to the horizontal momentum of the car + grain after the grain drops? Can you determine the speed of the car + grain after the drop? What effect does the vertical leak of grain have on the horizontal speed of the car?

AM

I already included those in my paper (attached).
However I can't determine the speed of the car + grain after drop unless I know the time.
 
daivinhtran said:
I already included those in my paper (attached).
However I can't determine the speed of the car + grain after drop unless I know the time.
Sure you can. How does the horizontal momentum before the collision compare to the horizontal momentum after the collision? (hint: are there any forces acting in the horizontal direction that are external to the car - grain system?).

AM