What is the velocity of cart B after the boy lands on it?

In summary: Vj is wrong.In summary, the 75kg boy leaped off a cart A with a horizontal velocity of 3 m/s to the left, relative to the cart. The velocity of cart A just after the jump was 9 m/s to the right. When the boy lands on cart B with the same velocity, the velocity of cart B just after he lands on it is 0.720 m/s to the left.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


The 75kg boy leaps off the cart A with a horizontal velocity of v' = 3 m/s to the left measured relative to the cart. Determine the velocity of cart A just after the jump. If he then lands on cart B with the same velocity that he left cart A, determine the velocity of cart B just after he lands on it. Carts A and B have the same mass of 50kg and are originally at rest.

Homework Equations


Relative motion: Va = Va/b + Vb
Momentum: m1V1 = m2V2

The Attempt at a Solution


the subscript j will represent the boy, while a/b represent the respective carts. the coordinate system: left represents negative, right positive

Relative motion
Vj = Vj/a + Va
(1) Vj = -3 + Va

Momentum
0 + 0 = ma*Va - mj*Vj
mj*Vj = ma*Va
(2) Vj = (ma)/(mj)Va = (50/75)Va

Substituting (1) and (2)
(50/75)Va = -3 + Va
Va(50/75-1)=-3
Va = 9 m/s (to the right)
Vj = -3 + 9m/s = 6m/s (to the left)

Now I find Vb (assume direction right)
mj*Vj + mb*Vb = (mj+mb)V
75*(-6) + 50*0 = (50+75)V

V = (75*6)/(50+75) = 3.6 (left)

But this is wrong,the answer is 0.720 m/s (left)
 
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  • #2
x86 said:
0 + 0 = ma*Va - mj*Vj
Need to be consistent about signs. Are you measuring all velocities as positive right, or the cart's as positive right and the boy's as positive left?
x86 said:
Va = 9 m/s (to the right)
Vj = -3 + 9m/s = 6m/s (to the left)
What relative velocity would that be?
 

What is momentum?

Momentum is a physical quantity that describes the amount of motion an object has. It is calculated by multiplying an object's mass by its velocity.

What are the units of momentum?

The units of momentum are kilograms multiplied by meters per second (kg*m/s).

How is momentum conserved in a closed system?

In a closed system, the total momentum remains constant. This means that the initial momentum of all objects in the system will be equal to the final momentum of all objects in the system.

Can momentum change?

Yes, momentum can change. This can happen through interactions with other objects, such as collisions or explosions, or through changes in an object's mass or velocity.

How is momentum different from velocity?

Momentum and velocity are related, but they are not the same thing. Velocity describes the speed and direction of an object's motion, while momentum describes the amount of motion an object has. Velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, while momentum is a vector quantity by definition (as it is calculated by multiplying two vectors, mass and velocity).

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