I'm in dire need of momentum help.

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The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving momentum and kinetic energy. A 70kg father and his 40kg daughter push apart on skates, and the father’s velocity is given as 0.8 m/s. To find the daughter's speed, momentum conservation is emphasized, with the father's momentum calculated as 56 kg·m/s, which equals the daughter's momentum in the opposite direction. The conversation also touches on calculating the distance the daughter will slide before stopping due to friction, with the coefficient of kinetic friction provided as 0.1. Participants encourage problem-solving and emphasize the importance of asking for help in learning.
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If P = mv, then P^2/(2m) is:

I know the answer is Kinetic Energy, I just don't know the proof. Help?

A 70kg man and his 40kg daughter stand together on skates in the middle of a frozen lake. They push apart. Immediately after the push the father has an initial velocity of .8 m/s in on direction and his daughter has an initial velocity of v in the opposite direction.

Find the magnitude of v, the daughter's speed:


The question continues to ask for other variables and the like, which I could all calculate if I knew the daughter's speed, which I can not figure out. Please do help.
 
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I'm sure you know that E_k = 1/2 mv^2. You can work out v in terms of momentum and substitute.

Remember that momentum is conserved. You can use this to work out the daughters speed.
 
For the first question you ask, I just answered an almost identical one here.

For the second part. You know that their momentum must be the same, but in opposite directions. Since you know the fathers momentum is mv = 70*0.8, you can set it equal to the daughters and solve for her velocity.
 
The simplicity of my delima really disheartens me, you know?

Thank you both.
 
Ah don't sweat it too much, any day you learn something new is a good day right?
 
That's true, but it's sometimes frustrating to ask for help. Atleast with the advent of the internet I can ask behind anonimity.
 
TheNormalForc said:
That's true, but it's sometimes frustrating to ask for help. Atleast with the advent of the internet I can ask behind anonimity.

I wouldn't be embarrassed or frustrated about asking for help. How else do we learn.
 
Well, while we're on the subject of helping.

If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the daughter's skates and the ice is mew = .1, how far will she slide before she is brought to a stop by the friction force?
 
TheNormalForc said:
Well, while we're on the subject of helping.

If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the daughter's skates and the ice is mew = .1, how far will she slide before she is brought to a stop by the friction force?

We help, we don't give answers :smile:. What have you tried so far or what are your thoughts about tackling this problem?
 
  • #10
I calculated that the average force exerted on the daughter is 160N, and that the magnitude of her velocity is 1.4 m/s. I know F=ma is a relevant formula to the question, but I'm stuck from that point on.
 
  • #11
TheNormalForc said:
I calculated that the average force exerted on the daughter is 160N, and that the magnitude of her velocity is 1.4 m/s. I know F=ma is a relevant formula to the question, but I'm stuck from that point on.

The average force from friction will not be 160N. The force of friction is F = \mu_k N, with N the normal force. Once you have the force you can work out the acceleration from F = ma. Then you will need to use the kinematic equations.
 
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