Minimum Speed for Balsa Cube Tipping Problem

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a solid balsa cube constrained to rotate about a fixed axis, with a bullet impacting it to determine the minimum speed required to tip the cube over. The subject area includes mechanics, specifically rotational motion and collision dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply a specific equation related to rotational motion but expresses uncertainty about the setup. Some participants question the validity of this approach and seek clarification on the reasoning behind the calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in questioning the original poster's method and encouraging a deeper understanding of the principles involved. There is a focus on ensuring that the problem is set up correctly before proceeding with calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a professor's guidance on a similar problem, indicating that the original poster may be relying on specific equations without fully grasping the underlying concepts. A diagram is suggested as a potential aid in understanding the problem setup.

T$$$
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
A solid balsa cube of side length L = 16.0” and mass M = 8.60 kg is at rest on a horizontal table top. It is constrained to rotate about a fixed and frictionless axis, AB, along one edge of the cube. A bullet of mass m = 50.0 g is fired with speed v at the other side of the cube, at height a = 12.0” above the table surface. The bullet becomes embedded in the cube in the middle of the face opposite face ABCD. Find the minimum value of the speed v required to tip the cube over, so that it falls on face ABCD. You may assume that the bullet mass m is small enough, compared to M, that it does not change the rotational inertia or center of mass of the cube after it embeds.

I've been working on this problem for a while and the only answer i got was 921 m/s but i don't think that's right... if someone could help me set up the problem that would be appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How did you get to 921 m/s? Then we can see where you went wrong.
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
How did you get to 921 m/s? Then we can see where you went wrong.
I honestly have no idea how to set it up, i just plugged it into an equation my professor showed me on a similar problem today. which is mvr=.5ml^2 +md^2
so .05*v*4=1/12 *8.6 *16^2 +.25*4^2
 
T$$$ said:
I just plugged it into an equation my professor showed me on a similar problem today.
That sounds like a recipe for failure. There is too much specific detail here for such an approach. There's no substitute for understanding and applying the general principles.
I gather that AB is an edge on the table. Have you drawn a diagram? What general principles have you learned that can be applied?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
Replies
30
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
16K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K