Minimum Speed for Balsa Cube Tipping Problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The minimum speed required for a bullet to tip a balsa cube with side length L = 16.0” and mass M = 8.60 kg is calculated to be 921 m/s. The bullet, with mass m = 50.0 g, impacts the cube at a height of a = 12.0” above the table. The problem involves applying the principle of conservation of angular momentum and requires careful setup to ensure accurate calculations. A common mistake is relying solely on equations without understanding the underlying physics principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of angular momentum conservation
  • Familiarity with rotational inertia concepts
  • Basic knowledge of projectile motion
  • Ability to set up and solve equations involving physical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of angular momentum in detail
  • Learn about rotational inertia and its calculation for different shapes
  • Explore the dynamics of collisions, particularly inelastic collisions
  • Practice problem-solving with similar physics problems involving tipping and rotation
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in mechanics, particularly those studying rotational dynamics and collision problems.

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
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
16K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K