Getting the init. velocity given G-force?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MartinSa
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    G-force Velocity
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 1K views
MartinSa
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


If an object is horizontally pushed with a g-force of 2.6 (imagine a cart with no friction on the wheels being in constant contact with a pusher being pushed for 1600 ft at that g-force and then stops but the cart keeps moving) what is the initial velocity right after it's let go?
230.3lbf weight of cart
no friction

Homework Equations


kinematics aren't useful since I don't have enough information

The Attempt at a Solution


the 1600 ft I am sure is irrelevant because the cart has the same g-force throughout and is always in contact with the pusher.
F = 598.78 lbf
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi MartinSa,
Welcome to Physics Forums!

MartinSa said:

Homework Statement


If an object is horizontally pushed with a g-force of 2.6 (imagine a cart with no friction on the wheels being in constant contact with a pusher being pushed for 1600 ft at that g-force and then stops but the cart keeps moving) what is the initial velocity right after it's let go?
230.3lbf weight of cart
no friction

Homework Equations


kinematics aren't useful since I don't have enough information
Not true. You have a constant acceleration and a distance. You should be able to find one of the SUVAT equations that will yield a final velocity.

The Attempt at a Solution


the 1600 ft I am sure is irrelevant because the cart has the same g-force throughout and is always in contact with the pusher.
Can you explain why you think contact with the "pusher" makes the distance irrelevant?

The distance is very important: It's the value that you're given that sets the region over which the acceleration occurs. You can set the boundary by either time or distance and there are SUVAT equations to deal with both cases.