Find Final Kinetic Energy of 3.00kg Object

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the final kinetic energy of a 3.00 kg object moving with an initial velocity of 7.00j m/s after a force of 12.0i N acts on it for 5.00 seconds. The original poster attempts to apply the kinetic energy formula but encounters confusion regarding the dot product of vectors.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correct application of the dot product in the context of kinetic energy calculations, with the original poster questioning their own calculations and the validity of their approach.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide guidance on the proper method for calculating the dot product, indicating that the original poster's approach may not align with standard vector operations. Multiple interpretations of the dot product are being explored, but there is no explicit consensus on the final outcome.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the application of vector operations and the assumptions made about the dot product in the context of kinetic energy calculations.

suppy123
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Homework Statement


A 3.00kg object has velocity 7.00j m/s. Then, a total force 12.0i N acts on the object for 5.00s.
Find the final kinetic energy from 1/2mvf^2 = 1/2mvf . vf


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


i got 1/2 * 3 * (20i+7j)(20i+7j)
then 600j^2 + 210ij + 73.5j^2

but the answer is 673.5 J, why?
since j.j =i.i=1 and i.j=0?
 
Last edited:
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!? do i need to write the whole of that!??

600j^2 + 210ij + 73.5j^2
600j.j + 210 i . j + 73.5j.j
600(1) + 210 (0) + 73.5(1)
is this alright
 
No that's not how a dot product works. You don't expand the brackets.

\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = a_xb_x + a_yb_y

For vectors:

\mathbf{a} = (a_x,a_y)
\mathbf{b} = (b_x,b_y)
 
Kurdt said:
No that's not how a dot product works. You don't expand the brackets.

\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = a_xb_x + a_yb_y

For vectors:

\mathbf{a} = (a_x,a_y)
\mathbf{b} = (b_x,b_y)


got it, a.b = axbx+ayby
a.b= 20i*20i+7j*7j= 449
 
Last edited:
A dot product gives a scalar answer and that's why it is sometimes called a scalar product. Drop the i's and j's and add the numbers together.
 

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