How Does Momentum and Energy Conservation Apply to a Tarzan Swing Collision?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the application of momentum and energy conservation principles in the context of a Tarzan swing collision with Jane. Key variables include angles θ1=53° and θ2=37°, and the masses m1 and m2, where m2 is m1+50kg. The analysis involves deriving equations using the conservation of energy and momentum, particularly during the phases of swinging, collision, and subsequent swinging. The participants conclude that the collision is a perfect inelastic collision, emphasizing the importance of comparing potential and kinetic energy at different points in the swing.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum and energy principles
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions and the cosine rule
  • Knowledge of inelastic collisions in physics
  • Ability to analyze pendulum motion and energy transformations
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  • Explore the derivation of potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE) equations in swinging systems
  • Study the implications of perfect inelastic collisions in momentum conservation
  • Learn how to express height in terms of angles in pendulum motion
  • Investigate the relationship between mass, velocity, and energy in collision scenarios
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Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, energy conservation, and collision analysis. This discussion is beneficial for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of real-world applications of these concepts.

  • #31
bieon said:
Ah dang... :/
Try leaving it as ##h_1, h_2## for now. That's simpler. We can sort out these in terms of angles later.
 
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  • #32
PeroK said:
Try leaving it as ##h_1, h_2## for now. That's simpler. We can sort out these in terms of angles later.

Like this?

Without Jane,
##Mg##(##h_1##)=½ ##Mv_1##2

With Jane,
##(M+m)g##(##h_2##)=½ ##(M+m)v_2##2
 
  • #33
bieon said:
Like this?

Without Jane,
##Mg##(##h_1##)=½ ##Mv_1##2

With Jane,
##(M+m)g##(##h_2##)=½ ##(M+m)v_2##2
Yes. Now you need the equation for ##v_1## and ##v_2## you got from conservation of monentum.
 
  • #34
PeroK said:
Yes. Now you need the equation for ##v_1## and ##v_2## you got from conservation of monentum.

PS note that the masses cancel in those equations, so that simplifies things a bit.
 
  • #35
PeroK said:
PS note that the masses cancel in those equations, so that simllifies things a bit.
Ok, so I put them in terms of velocity now right?
M##g##(##h_1##)=½ M##v_1##2
2##g####h_1##= ##v_1##2

With Jane,
(M+m)##g##(##h_2##)=½ (M+m)##v_2##2
2##g####h_2##= ##v_2##2
 
  • #36
bieon said:
Ok, so I put them in terms of velocity now right?
M##g##(##h_1##)=½ M##v_1##2
2##g####h_1##= ##v_1##2

With Jane,
(M+m)##g##(##h_2##)=½ (M+m)##v_2##2
2##g####h_2##= ##v_2##2
That's good. Now use the relationship between ##v_1## and ##v_2## that you got many posts ago.
 
  • #37
PeroK said:
That's good. Now use the relationship between ##v_1## and ##v_2## that you got many posts ago.
(##M##+##m##)##√2####gh_2##=##M√2####gh_1##
This?
 
  • #38
bieon said:
so... V2=[m1/(m1+m2)]v1

(Sorry, I don't know how to use fraction here...)

This!
 
  • #39
PeroK said:
This!
Like this?
##√2####gh_2## =[M/(M+m)] ##√2####gh_1##
 
  • #40
bieon said:
(##M##+##m##)##√2####gh_2##=##M√2####gh_1##
This?
It looks like you've done it. Can you finish it off by expressing height in terms of angle.
 
  • #41
PeroK said:
It looks like you've done it. Can you finish it off by expressing height in terms of angle.
I believe I can! Thank you so much! I am sorry for the trouble!
 
  • #42
PeroK said:
It looks like you've done it. Can you finish it off by expressing height in terms of angle.
Uhm I think I had trouble, I know the general concept of l-lcos but I am not sure where it came from...
 
  • #43
bieon said:
Uhm I think I had trouble, I know the general concept of l-lcos but I am not sure where it came from...

It's just trigonometry.
 
  • #44
PeroK said:
It's just trigonometry.
but why is it L - L cos θ ?
Sorry, I just want to understand more
 
  • #47
In summary: $${\left(\frac{m}{m+50}\right)}^2=\frac{h_2}{h_1}$$. We do however perhaps need to question a little the physics of this situation since momentum is conserved in the absence of an external force. If the transfer of momentum in the collision is not instantaneous but rather over a finite time instant Δt , g could act if for a very brief instant. Collision energy in a perfectly inelastic collision is considered lost - here it's possible that some collision energy is not dissipated but rather absorbed by being converted to PE. Jane benefits because Tarzan does not make an instant impact!
 

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