I have a conservation of momentum equation Q

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a conservation of momentum problem involving a skeet and a pellet collision. A 0.25kg skeet is shot at 30 m/s at a 30-degree angle and is hit by a 15g pellet traveling upward at 200 m/s. Participants suggest using conservation of energy to calculate the maximum height of the skeet and conservation of momentum for the inelastic collision to determine the new velocities. The correct approach involves calculating the initial height and then using projectile motion equations to find the additional horizontal distance traveled post-collision. The impact height of 11.43 m is confirmed as correct, provided it refers to the skeet's height at the moment of collision.
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I have a conservation of momentum equation Q!

A 0.25kg skeet (clay target) is fired at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizon with a speed of 30 m/s. When it reaches its maximum height, it is hit from below by a 15g pellet traveling vertically upward at a speed 200m/s, the pellet is imbedded in the skeet.

So they want to know how much higher the skeet would go, and how much EXTRA horizontal distance the skeet would travel because of that collision...

I believe you can get the height from using conservation of energy. Then you can use what you know about projectiile motion to find all the different time intervals involved. From there, Distance in the x direction is simply Vx*t

I am just not sure if I am getting the correct numbers? What would you guys do?
 
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Step 1.
Energy conservation up to maximal height h for the skeet:
\frac{1}{2}V_{0}^{2}=\frac{1}{2}V_{0,x}^{2}+gh
(V_{0} is initial velocity, with components V_{0,x},V_{0,y})
Step 2. Conservation of momentum in inelastic collision.
This will yield a non-zero upwards velocity component.
Step 3. Book-keeping:
Record horizontal distance already traveled, X_{1}, and vertical and horizontal velocities after collision.
Step 4.
Solve for landing position as a function of time, using parameters obtained in Step 3.
 
But since Vo x is constant why would you use that equation to solve it?
 
Because I forgot to eliminate it on both sides of the equation..
 
I get an impact height of 11.43 m. Is this correct? (Using your equation.)
 
If 11.43=\frac{(30\sin30)^{2}}{2g}, then it is correct, as long as you with "impact height" means the height of the sleet when the proctile hits it.
 
Cool then I just use conservation of momentum to find the new Vx and Vy and treat it like an ordinary 2D kinematics problem.
 
Yes; that would be it.
 
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