Dynamics - Relative Motion Help?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics homework problem involving relative motion on a conveyor belt. Participants are exploring the calculation of the velocity of a duffel bag tossed onto a conveyor belt, taking into account the angles and speeds involved. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and conceptual clarification related to projectile motion and relative velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines the initial conditions of the problem, including the angles and speeds of the conveyor belt and the duffel bag.
  • The participant describes their approach to finding the slope of the conveyor belt using trigonometric functions and setting up a linear equation.
  • Another participant suggests that the next step involves finding the x and y components of the final velocity of the bag.
  • There is a suggestion to find the relative velocity by subtracting the velocity components of the belt from those of the bag.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the necessity of their detailed approach to finding the slope, questioning why a simpler method was not used.
  • Another participant acknowledges learning something new about slopes and expresses gratitude for the assistance received.
  • One participant inquires about the placement of the coordinate axis in the problem, indicating a need for clarification on the setup.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants are engaged in a collaborative effort to solve the problem, with some expressing uncertainty about specific steps. There is no consensus yet on the final approach or solution, as participants are still discussing and clarifying their methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the mathematical steps necessary to find the relative velocity, and there are unresolved questions regarding the setup of the coordinate system.

Khamul
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Homework Statement


Conveyor belt A, which forms a 20° angle with the horizontal, moves at a constant speed of 4 ft/s and is used to load an airplane. Knowing that a worker tosses duffel bag B with an initial velocity of 2.5 ft/s at an angle of 30° with the horizontal, determine the velocity of the bag relative to the belt as it lands on the belt.

Homework Equations


Vi,x = Vi*cos(\theta)
Vi,y = Vi*sin(\theta)
(xf-xi) =Vi,x*t
(yf-yi) =Vi,y*t - (1/2)*g*t2
rB = rA+rB/A
vB = vA+vB/A
aB = aA+aB/A

The Attempt at a Solution


I think I've gotten the majority of this problem tackled, so I will list what I have done (as I am highly likely to have done something wrong.) As you can see from the picture below, a linear equation (I think?) is required out of the conveyor belt, so that is the first thing I did.

We know that to make a right triangle with the belt, one side is 90, we're given 20, so the final angle is 70. For pure relations' sake to find a slope, I set the bottom length equal to 10, used tan(20)=opp/10, and found the rise/run to be 3.64/10 which came out to be a slope of .364.

I also set my origin at the location of the duffel bag, which was 1.5 feet above the starting location of the conveyor belt line. So, for my linear equation, I found y=.364x-1.5

Then from there, (I think this is right?) I subbed my xf and yf equations into my linear equation. I was then faced with a quadratic, which, when solved for t, I found t=.3209 s. Fast forwarding a bit more after this I found my final x and y distances.

My x final distance was .6947 ft, while my y final distance was -1.2465 ft.

And...this is where I taper off. I am unsure how to proceed next. I know my final distances, the time it took to hit the conveyor belt...but I am not sure how to relate all of this to find the relative velocity of the bag to the belt.

Could anyone spare some help? I would greatly appreciate it! :smile:

4. F.B.D.
2d14k5c.jpg
 
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Hi Khamul! :smile:
Khamul said:
My x final distance was .6947 ft, while my y final distance was -1.2465 ft.

And...this is where I taper off. I am unsure how to proceed next. I know my final distances, the time it took to hit the conveyor belt...but I am not sure how to relate all of this to find the relative velocity of the bag to the belt.

now you need to find the x and y components of the final velocity

to find the relative velocity, you then just subtract the velocity components of the belt :wink:

btw, why did you do all this, instead of simply saying tan20° = 0.364 ? :confused:
We know that to make a right triangle with the belt, one side is 90, we're given 20, so the final angle is 70. For pure relations' sake to find a slope, I set the bottom length equal to 10, used tan(20)=opp/10, and found the rise/run to be 3.64/10 which came out to be a slope of .364.
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi Khamul! :smile:


now you need to find the x and y components of the final velocity

to find the relative velocity, you then just subtract the velocity components of the belt :wink:

btw, why did you do all this, instead of simply saying tan20° = 0.364 ? :confused:


Goood morning tiny-tim, thanks for getting around to helping me so early!:smile:

Huh. Well hey, look at that! I learned something new about slopes, thank you! Also, thank you for steering me in the right direction :smile: I was burned out between this and thermodynamics by midnight last night!
 
I am actually working on this problem right now and my question for you is where did you place you axis in this problem?
 

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