Find Velocity of Recoiling Railcar with Conservation of Momentum

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In summary, two hobos of equal mass are standing on a stationary railroad flatcar with frictionless wheels. They can each run to the other end and jump off with the same speed. Using conservation of momentum, we can find the speed of the recoiling car if they both jump off simultaneously. The solution is $v = \frac{2m_{\text{h}}}{2m_{\text{h}}+m_{\text{fc}}}u$. This can be derived by expanding the product and solving for $v$. The question is from the book Classical Mechanics by John Taylor.
  • #1
Dustinsfl
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Two hobos, each of mass $m_{\text{h}}$, are standing at one end of a stationary railroad flatcar with frictionless wheels and mass $m_{\text{fc}}$.
Either hobo can run to the other end of the flatcar and jump off with the same speed $u$ (relative to the car).

Use conservation of momentum to find the speed of the recoiling car if the two men run and jump off simultaneously.

Let $v$ be the velocity of the recoiling car.
Then
\begin{alignat*}{3}
m_{\text{fc}}v & = & 2m_{\text{h}}(u - v)\\
v & = & \frac{2m_{\text{h}}}{m_{\text{fc}}}(u - v)
\end{alignat*}

The solution is $v = \frac{2m_{\text{h}}}{2m_{\text{h}}+m_{\text{fc}}}u$.
How did they get that?
 
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  • #2
Well, expanding the product gets us

$$m_{fc} v = 2m_h (u-v) = 2m_h u - 2m_h v,$$

and from that

$$m_{fc} v + 2m_h v = (m_{fc} + 2m_h) v = 2m_h u.$$

Finally,

$$v = \frac{2m_h}{m_{fc} + 2m_h} u.$$

If you don't mind me asking, is this question from the book Classical Mechanics by John Taylor? :D

Cheers.
 
  • #3
It is from that book but I figured out what they did before you posted; hence, the post was marked solved before then.
 

Related to Find Velocity of Recoiling Railcar with Conservation of Momentum

1. What is the concept behind "Find Velocity of Recoiling Railcar with Conservation of Momentum"?

The concept behind this is that when two objects interact, the total momentum of the system remains constant. This means that the combined momentum of the objects before and after the interaction is the same.

2. How is the velocity of the recoiling railcar calculated using conservation of momentum?

The velocity of the recoiling railcar can be calculated by using the equation: m1v1 = m2v2, where m1 is the mass of the initial object (in this case, the railcar), v1 is its initial velocity, m2 is the mass of the second object (in this case, the object it collides with), and v2 is the velocity of the second object after the collision. This equation is derived from the principle of conservation of momentum.

3. What are the factors that affect the velocity of the recoiling railcar?

The velocity of the recoiling railcar is affected by the mass and velocity of the initial object, as well as the mass and velocity of the object it collides with. Other factors that may affect the velocity include external forces such as friction and air resistance.

4. Can conservation of momentum be applied to all types of collisions?

Yes, conservation of momentum can be applied to all types of collisions, including elastic and inelastic collisions. In elastic collisions, both kinetic energy and momentum are conserved, while in inelastic collisions, only momentum is conserved.

5. How is the conservation of momentum principle useful in real-life situations?

The conservation of momentum principle is useful in understanding and analyzing various real-life situations, such as car accidents, sports, and rocket propulsion. It also helps in designing safer and more efficient transportation systems and vehicles.

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