Physics momentum and acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving momentum and acceleration, specifically focusing on a target thrown upward and subsequently struck by an arrow. The problem requires determining the velocities involved during and after the collision, as well as the speed of the combined objects before they hit the ground.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of momentum and the need to calculate the target's velocity at a specific height before the collision. There are inquiries about the role of gravity and projectile motion in finding the target's downward velocity.

Discussion Status

Several participants are actively engaging with the problem, attempting to calculate the target's velocity at 10 meters above the ground. Some have made progress in calculating the maximum height and are now focusing on the velocity during descent. There is a mix of attempts and clarifications regarding the methods used, with no clear consensus yet on the final approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are reminded of the forum's rules regarding homework help, emphasizing that they should provide their own solutions and reasoning. There is a focus on understanding the physics concepts rather than simply obtaining answers.

troy132
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Homework Statement


You throw a 0.42-kg target upward at 15 m/s. When it is at a heigh of 10 m above the launch position and moving downward, it is struck by a 0.338-kg arrow going 27 m/s upward. Assume the interaction is instantaneous.
a)What is the velocity of the target and arrow immediately after the collision?
b)What is the speed of the combination right before it strikes the ground?

Homework Equations


Not a homework problem. This is practice questions for an upcoming midterm and I am not sure how to go about this. An answer with an explanation would be great but if all you can provide is an answer I would be grateful.

The Attempt at a Solution


I am not sure where to begin. Conservation of momentum maybe? but even with that I am not sure how to bring gravity into it.
 
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troy132 said:

Homework Statement


You throw a 0.42-kg target upward at 15 m/s. When it is at a heigh of 10 m above the launch position and moving downward, it is struck by a 0.338-kg arrow going 27 m/s upward. Assume the interaction is instantaneous.
a)What is the velocity of the target and arrow immediately after the collision?
b)What is the speed of the combination right before it strikes the ground?

Homework Equations


Not a homework problem. This is practice questions for an upcoming midterm and I am not sure how to go about this. An answer with an explanation would be great but if all you can provide is an answer I would be grateful.

The Attempt at a Solution


I am not sure where to begin. Conservation of momentum maybe? but even with that I am not sure how to bring gravity into it.
Even for practice questions, the rules of PF state that the poster is responsible for providing his own solutions. Once you do that, if you get stuck or want to know if you've done things correctly, other members can then offer comments and suggestions.

So, you've thrown the target upward at a certain initial velocity. It's now falling back to earth. What's the velocity of the target when it's 10 meters off the ground?
 
For part A I need to find the velocity immediately after the instantaneous collision
 
troy132 said:
For part A I need to find the velocity immediately after the instantaneous collision
Yes, but first you need to determine the velocity of the target, as it is falling back to earth, when it reaches 10 m above the ground.

You can't calculate the combined momentum of the target and the arrow if you don't know the velocity of the target. :sorry: :wink:
 
Ok how in the world do I do that? What I think I need to do is find the max height it reaches, from there I am not too sure.
 
troy132 said:
Ok how in the world do I do that? What I think I need to do is find the max height it reaches, from there I am not too sure.
Have you studied anything about objects being thrown up in the sky? Projectile motion? Gravity?
 
Yes I have. Gravity is constant 9.81m/s downwards, the part I am struggling with is finding velocity on its way down. Am I on the right track by determining its maximum height?
 
troy132 said:
Yes I have. Gravity is constant 9.81m/s downwards, the part I am struggling with is finding velocity on its way down. Am I on the right track by determining its maximum height?
That's a start.
 
Ok i have calculated the max height to be 11.47 meters. Now i find the velocity its traveling when it falls the distance of 1.47 m?
 
  • #10
troy132 said:
Ok i have calculated the max height to be 11.47 meters. Now i find the velocity its traveling when it falls the distance of 1.47 m?
Yep. You want the velocity of the target when it is 10 meters off the ground.
 
  • #11
Ok I've found velocity to be 5.366m/s by vf^2=vi^2 + 2ad and then found time using v=d/t and solving as 0.27 seconds. I am not too sure what to do from this point. Does time help with anything or is it an unnecessary value
 
  • #12
Update: Just worked around a bit and i think i got the answer. Do you get 9.1m/s in your calculations?
 
  • #13
troy132 said:
Ok I've found velocity to be 5.366m/s by vf^2=vi^2 + 2ad and then found time using v=d/t and solving as 0.27 seconds. I am not too sure what to do from this point. Does time help with anything or is it an unnecessary value
I'm not following what you did here. You can't use v = d/t here because velocity is not constant.

What's the velocity of the target when it reaches the highest point above the ground?

The target falls a distance of 1.47 m from this point. Does it seem reasonable that it would reach a velocity of 5.37 m/s in this short distance?
 

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