Conservation of Momentum in Collisions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem related to the conservation of momentum in collisions, specifically involving a sled and two individuals. The original poster presents a scenario where one person bails off a sled, and various possible final momenta are proposed for both individuals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of momentum conservation when external forces are absent. Questions arise regarding the final momenta of the individuals involved and whether momentum is conserved in different types of collisions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the nature of momentum in closed systems, while others are questioning the assumptions about which entities are included in the system experiencing no external forces. Multiple interpretations of the system boundaries are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the definitions and conditions under which momentum is conserved, particularly in relation to the types of collisions (elastic vs. inelastic) and the specific setup of the problem.

TheHamburgler1
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I have no idea how to do this first one

1. Youre coasting with a friend on a sled, going a constant velocity, having a momentum of +120kg m/s when suddenly your friend bails off the sled. Assuming there are no net external forces acting on the system which of the following gives a correct possibility for the final momenta for first your friend, then you and the sled?

a) -50 kg m/s, +170 kg m/s
b) -50 kg m/s, +120kg m/s
c) -50 kg m/s, -70 kg m/s
d) +70 kg m/s, -50 kg m/s
e) +120 kg m/s, -50 kg m/s


my other question: Is momentum conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions or only elastic?
 
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Counter-question:
If a system is not experiencing any EXTERNAL forces, what can you say about the system's momentum?
 
It's constant right
 
This therefore means that the answer has to be B right? Because therefore the momentum for the sled is the same or am I wrong?
 
TheHamburgler1 said:
This therefore means that the answer has to be B right? Because therefore the momentum for the sled is the same or am I wrong?
What system is NOT experiencing external forces in this cases?

Is it:
i) You
ii) You+sled
iii) Sled
iv) Sled+friend
vii) Friend+you
viii) Friend
ix) You+Friend+Sled
 

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