I could use some basic physics help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two physics problems related to kinematics and momentum. The first problem involves a car decelerating under a constant force, while the second problem concerns a collision between trains and the resulting changes in speed and kinetic energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using Newton's second law to find acceleration and explore the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. They also consider the equations of motion to determine distance and time for the first problem. For the second problem, there is a focus on conservation of momentum and the implications of kinetic energy changes during the collision.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problems, suggesting relevant physics principles and equations. There is an ongoing exploration of the concepts involved, with multiple interpretations being discussed, particularly regarding the nature of the collision in the second problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates they are an 11th grader and are seeking help due to having missed class, which may affect their understanding of the material.

Eric1234
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ive been sick a lot lately, and have missed a lot of physics, my worst class, and I am doing all the homework I've missed and can't figure out these 2 problems.everything else has been done. any help, like how to do them, i don't need the answer just how to set it up and such. anything would be helpfully. I am an 11th grader, so its not college leveled.

"A 2500kg car is moving at a speed of 20m/s. the car is slowing don with a constant force of 500N
how long does it take to stop,how far does the car tavel as it comes to a stop,make a Force vs Time"

"A train with a mass of 20,000 Kg is moving at 3m/s and attaches 2 other trains with the same mass,already attached. the two other cars are moving with a sppeed of 1.2m/s and moving in the same direction as the first car.
what is the speed of the three joined cars, after the collision? change of kinetic energy during collision. what sort of collision has occurred?"
 
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First question

Mass of train = 2500Kg
Velocity Initial = 20m/s
Force = Mass x Accel


500N = 2500Kg x Acceleration

Once you find acceleration (or deceleration in this case), you'd have

Velocity Initial = 20m/s
Veloctiy final = 0m/s
acceration = 500N/2500Kg

Then you can look for distance and time...





Second question


Thinking of conservation of momentum...

Momentum = mass x velocity

(20,000Kg)(3m/s) + (40,000Kg)(1.2m/s) = (60,000Kg)(x)


and change of kinetic energy of what during the collision?
 
Eric1234 said:
ive been sick a lot lately, and have missed a lot of physics, my worst class, and I am doing all the homework I've missed and can't figure out these 2 problems.everything else has been done. any help, like how to do them, i don't need the answer just how to set it up and such. anything would be helpfully. I am an 11th grader, so its not college leveled.

"A 2500kg car is moving at a speed of 20m/s. the car is slowing don with a constant force of 500N
how long does it take to stop,how far does the car tavel as it comes to a stop,make a Force vs Time"

"A train with a mass of 20,000 Kg is moving at 3m/s and attaches 2 other trains with the same mass,already attached. the two other cars are moving with a sppeed of 1.2m/s and moving in the same direction as the first car.
what is the speed of the three joined cars, after the collision? change of kinetic energy during collision. what sort of collision has occurred?"

For the first question you'll want to use Newton's second law, F = MA to find the acceleration A. Then you can use

[tex]V = V_o + At[/tex]

where [tex]V_o[/tex] is the initial velocity, and V, your final velocity will be, of course, zero. Make sure that your acceleration is negative.

The how far the car goes can be found from

[tex]X = X_o + V_o t + \frac{1}{2} A t^2[/tex]


You should start your second question with the conservation of momentum:

Momentum before the collision = Momentum after the collision

Before you have two objects traveling at different speeds and after the collision you have one object (the three coupled cars) traveling with one speed.

After you find the velocity of the coupled cars, you can find the kinetic energy before the collision and the kinetic energy after the collision. Since these kinetic energies will be different, this is an inelastic collision.
 

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