Momentum Kleppner Classical Mechanics Freight Car and Hopper

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in classical mechanics involving a freight car and a hopper, where an empty freight car is subjected to an external force while sand is added at a steady rate. The objective is to determine the speed of the freight car after a specific mass of sand has been added.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of changing mass on velocity, referencing conservation of momentum. There are questions about the notation used in the original post, particularly regarding the terms for velocity and changes in velocity. Some participants express concerns about the clarity of the original work presented.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing dialogue about the clarity of the original poster's work and the notation used. Some participants have offered suggestions for improving the presentation of the problem, while others have questioned specific assumptions regarding the effects of added mass on velocity. The discussion remains active with various interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenges of conveying complex problems through images rather than typed text, which may hinder effective communication and assistance. There is an emphasis on the importance of clarity in presenting work to facilitate better support from others.

MARX
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Member has been reminded to provide typed text instead of barely readable pictures.

Homework Statement


Freight car and hopper*
An empty freight car of mass M starts from rest under an applied force F. At the same time, sand begins to run into the car at steady rate b from a hopper at rest along the track.

Find the speed when a mass of sand m has been transferred.

Homework Equations


attached

The Attempt at a Solution


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IMG_0122.JPG
The solution answer has an extra b*t in the denominator and + answer. Where is the flaw in my method? Now I understand this can be done shorter using impulse and exact values but I prefer the more general approach and deduce specific cases at the end. Thanks
 

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Why do you have v-Δv instead of v+Δv?
There are some terms that are rather blurry in the image. Looks like erased or half erased. In particular, you seem to have a v0b term which should be a v(t)b term, i.e. affected by the varying velocity.
The ability to upload images is really for diagrams and textbook extracts. It is a lot easier read and to refer to specific lines of working that is typed in.
 
haruspex said:
Why do you have v-Δv instead of v+Δv?
There are some terms that are rather blurry in the image. Looks like erased or half erased. In particular, you seem to have a v0b term which should be a v(t)b term, i.e. affected by the varying velocity.
The ability to upload images is really for diagrams and textbook extracts. It is a lot easier read and to refer to specific lines of working that is typed in.
Sorry it just takes lots of time to type and I work out lots of problems so trying to use time efficiently!Next time I will use ink and make it more neat apologies.
as for v-Δv due to the added mass shouldn't the velocity decrease according to Conservation of Momentum. Wrong? I tried changing the sign but that only switches final sign and does not produce right answer.
There is no V0, it is meant to be V(t) sorry
 
MARX said:
Sorry it just takes lots of time to type and I work out lots of problems so trying to use time efficiently!Next time I will use ink and make it more neat apologies.
I strongly suggest that you type it out here instead of on paper and make a photo. Remember that, while it might be more "efficient" for you, it certainly is not for the people you are asking to help you (for free). People here are much more likely to help you if they see that you have put at least some effort into making that job easier for them instead of expecting them to cater to what is convenient for you.

MARX said:
as for v-Δv due to the added mass shouldn't the velocity decrease according to Conservation of Momentum. Wrong?
What makes you think that ##\Delta v## cannot be negative? A good way to avoid sign errors is to always define the change in something as positive when that something increases. Like haruspex, I have real problems reading what you have written so I cannot help you more than that since that is all you typed out.
 
MARX said:
tried changing the sign but that only switches final sign and does not produce right answer.
It should have fixed both problems. Please post your reworking (typed!)
 
haruspex said:
It should have fixed both problems. Please post your reworking (typed!)
I got the right answer thank you so much for your help.
For other questions I will continue to snap images of my work I will make sure my handwriting next time is clear and I will use a pen I am sorry I will not type it typing takes lots of time especially the kind of questions I attempt are not the shortest.. if that's something you can't help me with I totally understand I'll just wait for someone who's willing to.
Thanks again and I am grateful.
 
MARX said:
For other questions I will continue to snap images of my work I will make sure my handwriting next time is clear and I will use a pen I am sorry I will not type it typing takes lots of time especially the kind of questions I attempt are not the shortest
Let me remind you of item 5 in https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/guidelines-for-students-and-helpers.686781/
It deals specifically withthis issue and if you continue doing this you may find it increasingly difficult to find people who are willing to help you. Even if your posts are not outright deleted, you make life more difficult for the people you are asking to help you. If you cannot be bothered to type something into make it easier for us to help you, why should we take the time to help you?
 
Orodruin said:
Let me remind you of item 5 in https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/guidelines-for-students-and-helpers.686781/
It deals specifically withthis issue and if you continue doing this you may find it increasingly difficult to find people who are willing to help you. Even if your posts are not outright deleted, you make life more difficult for the people you are asking to help you. If you cannot be bothered to type something into make it easier for us to help you, why should we take the time to help you?
Thank you for your help as well.
 
MARX said:
Typing takes lots of time especially the kind of questions I attempt are not the shortest.
I encourage you to invest a little time to learn the basics of LaTeX. It's not hard. Despite your misgivings, typing your work out doesn't actually take that long. We're not asking you to type out every single step of your work, but enough detail so we can spot where the problem lies.
 
  • #10
vela said:
I encourage you to invest a little time to learn the basics of LaTeX. It's not hard. Despite your misgivings, typing your work out doesn't actually take that long. We're not asking you to type out every single step of your work, but enough detail so we can spot where the problem lies.
The effort of transcribing the work and prettying it up can often reveal problems without even having to post the result.
 
  • #11
You don't need to learn LaTex to post in typing. Click on the Σ symbol at the far right of the toolbar and it will take care of most situations. I myself lived for years and years without LaTex until I finally had to use it to write a paper. I agree it's not that hard to assimilate - maybe 1 day's work. But it does take extra time to type which may be a factor if you're that busy.
 

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