Minimum Impact Velocity for Pendulum to Swing Over Top of Arc

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gregcor
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Homework Statement


A pendulum consists of a mass M hanging at the bottom end of a massless rod of length l, which has a frictionless pivot at its top end. A mass m, moving as shown in the figure with velocity v impacts M and becomes embedded.

What is the smallest value of v sufficient to cause the pendulum (with embedded mass m) to swing clear over the top of its arc?


Homework Equations



[tex]p=mv[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution


I realize that the acceleration must be [tex]\frac{v^2}{l}=g[/tex] to swing over the arc. Thus, I found:

[tex]v_f=mv_i/(m+M)[/tex], and set Vf equal to [tex]\sqrt{lg}[/tex] from the first equation.

I got:
[tex]v_i=\frac{(m+M)\sqrt{lg}}{m}[/tex]

But the software returned:
Code:
Your answer either contains an incorrect numerical multiplier or is missing one.

Help!
Thanks!
 
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What is the top of its arc?

Is there a figure you can provide or describe in better detail?
 
LowlyPion said:
What is the top of its arc?

Is there a figure you can provide or describe in better detail?

Sure. See the attachment.
Thanks!
 
Attachments
  • GIANCOLI.ch09.p050.jpg
    GIANCOLI.ch09.p050.jpg
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