The discussion centers on the power required to maintain a conveyor belt's constant speed while transporting sand. The key equations referenced are P=Fv for power and K.E = 1/2 mv² for kinetic energy. It is concluded that while the kinetic energy of the sand increases, this alone cannot account for the power needed, as it would imply an infinite acceleration for each grain of sand. The assumption that each grain of sand instantly reaches the belt's speed without intermediate velocities contradicts the laws of physics.
PREREQUISITESStudents in physics, engineers designing conveyor systems, and anyone interested in the mechanics of moving materials efficiently.
Why infinite acceleration? Is it because the mass is too small?
It is assuming that every grain of sand (each of which has a non-zero mass) immediately goes from rest to v without passing through any intermediate speeds. This would require an instantaneous velocity change of a mass by a finite amount, which would be breaking (or at best ignoring) the actual laws of physics.Janiceleong26 said:
Oh I see, thanks very muchgneill said: