Momentum of carts of different masses

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two laboratory carts with different masses and a compressed spring between them. The goal is to determine the mass needed on one cart so that both carts reach the ends of the track simultaneously after an explosion. Additionally, participants are discussing the relationships between the kinetic energies and momenta of the carts post-explosion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive relationships between the velocities of the carts and questioning the setup of the equations related to time and velocity. There is also discussion on the correctness of statements regarding kinetic energies and momenta.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on interpreting the equations and have confirmed certain relationships between the velocities. There is ongoing exploration of the correctness of the statements regarding kinetic energies and momenta, with some participants expressing uncertainty about specific comparisons.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the initial momentum is zero and are trying to reconcile the relationships between the masses and their respective kinetic energies and momenta. There is a noted confusion regarding the setup of the equations related to time and velocity.

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Homework Statement



The drawing below shows two laboratory carts (each has a mass of 1.0 kg) X and Y in contact with a compressed exploder spring between them. The mass on cart Y is 2.84 kg, distance A is 12 cm, distance B is 18 cm. What mass must be placed on cart X, such that after the explosion both carts will hit the ends of the track at the same time?

After the explosion has taken place, which of the following statements regarding the kinetic energies, EK, and the magnitudes of the momenta, pi, are correct or incorrect? (Note: The subscripts x and y refer to the carts, not the direction along x or y.)
Ex = 2/3 Ey
px > py
px = py
Ex < Ey
px = py/2


Homework Equations



Final momentum = inital momentum = 0

MxVx + MyVy = 0

T = d/v

The Attempt at a Solution



z = unknown mass on cart x
(1 + z)Vx + (1.00 + 2.84)Vy = 0

T= 12/Vy = -18/Vy so Vx = -18/12 Vy

(1+z) *-18/12 Vy + 3.84 Vy = 0

Vy[(1+z)*-18/12 + 3.84] = 0

-18/12 + -18/12 z + 3.84 = 0

-1.5Z = -2.34

Z = 1.54 kg


After the explosion has taken place, which of the following statements regarding the kinetic energies, EK, and the magnitudes of the momenta, pi, are correct or incorrect? (Note: The subscripts x and y refer to the carts, not the direction along x or y.)
Correct Incorrect Ex = 2/3 Ey
incorrect energy should be the same
Correct Incorrect px > py
not sure: depends on answer in part 1 because p = mv
Correct Incorrect px = py
Incorrect unless Mx = 2.84
Correct Incorrect Ex < Ey
Incorrect energy should be the same
Correct Incorrect px = py/2
 
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confused by this part:

"T= 12/Vy = -18/Vy so Vx = -18/12 Vy"

Do you mean 12/Vy = -18/Vx?
 
yea.. and from that you can derive that Vx = (-18/12)Vy
 
ttk3 said:
yea.. and from that you can derive that Vx = (-18/12)Vy

ok... So Ex = (1/2)(1+1.54)vx^2 = 1.27(1.5vy)^2 = 2.8575vy^2

Ey = (1/2)(1+2.84)vy^2 = 1.92vy^2

so it seems like out of all the choices the only right one is px = py.

BTW Ex is not the same energy as Ey.
 

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