Finding Impulse and Momentum on a Frictionless Surface

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tubs
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around problems related to impulse and momentum in physics, specifically focusing on a scenario involving a force acting on an object on a frictionless surface and a rotational kinetic energy problem involving a rotating rod.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to find the impulse and change in momentum of an object subjected to a time-varying force without using integration. Some participants question the feasibility of solving the first problem without calculus, noting that the force is not constant and suggesting that integration may be necessary.
  • In the second problem, the original poster seeks to determine the kinetic energy of a rotating rod at a specific time, with some participants suggesting a relationship between kinetic energies and angular velocities.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problems. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of ratios of kinetic energies and angular velocities, but there is no explicit consensus on the first problem's approach.

Contextual Notes

The first problem involves a force that varies with time, raising questions about the application of kinematic equations. The second problem references a graph that may provide additional information about the velocities involved.

Tubs
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
I can't seem to get past this one, and it should be possible to solve without using integration. Any help would be great :D

A 0.25 kg object is stationary on a frictionless surface. At t = 0, a horizontal force begins to move the object. The force is given by F = (12 - 3t^2) and acts until its magnitude is zero.

a) What is the magnitude of the impulse between t = 0.5 and t = 1.25 s?
b) What is the change in momentum from when the object is stationary to when the magnitude of the force is zero?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I really don't see how this one can be solved without calculus. The force is not constant, meaning the acceleration is not constant. None of the elementary kinematics equations will apply. Only the differential form of Newton's 2nd law should be used.
 
Force is not constant. You have to integrate.
 
Ok, thanks a lot. Another quick one that I am stumped on:

A thin rod rotates around one end. Its angular acceleration is 3/2 radians / second^2 and has a rotational kinetic energy of 1.60 J at t = 4s. What is the kinetic energy at t = 0s?

A graph was given of this question, pretty much modeling a straight line on velocity / time graph. At t = 0 the velocity looks to be about 1.4 if that helps :)
 
Use the fact that that the ratio of the rotational kinetic energies at two different times are equal to the ratio of the square of the angular velocities at these times. Then by [itex]v=\omega r[/itex] the r's cancel. So you are left only with the velocities squared, which can be determined with the graph.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
9K