Rise in temperature after a collision

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a head-on collision between two bodies of different masses, where the coefficient of restitution is provided. The question focuses on determining the rise in temperature of one of the bodies after the collision, under specific assumptions about heat distribution and loss.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of momentum conservation and the coefficient of restitution in the context of the collision. There are questions about the signs used in the momentum equation and the assumptions regarding the direction of motion post-collision.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants questioning the reasoning behind certain assumptions, particularly the use of the minus sign in the momentum equation. Some participants are exploring different interpretations of the collision dynamics, while others are attempting to derive the temperature change based on their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Assumptions about heat sharing and loss are noted as potentially unrealistic, which may affect the validity of the calculations being discussed.

runningninja
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Homework Statement


"A body of mass m, moving with velocity v, collides with a body of mass 2m at rest, in a head-on collision. The coefficient of restitution is 1/3. If the 2m body has a specific heat c, and if it is assumed that the two bodies share the heat generated in the collision equally (not a very reasonable assumption), and that no heat is lost (a ridiculous assumption), how much does the temperature of the 2m body rise? (Keep fractions throughout in solution.)"

Homework Equations


$$\text{Coefficient of restitution}\ =~e~= \frac{v_{2F} - v_{1F}}{v_{1I} - v_{2I}}$$
$$p_I = p_F$$
$$\Delta K_2 = Q_2$$

The Attempt at a Solution


Since it is head on, this is a one dimensional problem, with ##v_{2I} = 0## and ##v_{1I} = v##. I started off by resolving my momentum equation into
$$mv = -mv_{1F} + 2mv_{2F}$$
(1) ##v_{1F} = 2v_{2f} - v##
I then set my restitution equation equal to 1/3 and substituted (1) in.
\frac{1}{3}\ = \frac{v_{2f} - 2v_{2f} + v}{v}

Which simplifies to

(2) $$ v_{2F} = \frac{2v}{3} $$

I then expand my Q equation to

(3) $$ \frac{1}{2}\ 2 m (v_{2f})^2 = 2 m c \Delta T $$

I then plug (2) into (3) and solve for ## \Delta T ## :

$$ \Delta T\ = \frac{2v^2}{9c} $$

However, the answer has a fraction of 2/27 rather than 2/9. I'm off by a factor of a third, and I don't know why.
 
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runningninja said:
I started off by resolving my momentum equation into
$$mv = -mv_{1F} + 2mv_{2F}$$

Why the minus sign?
 
voko said:
Why the minus sign?

Because it is a one dimensional collision. The first object has to bounce backwards because there is no other place for it to go. Even if I omit the minus sign, I get 8/81 for the fraction.
 
runningninja said:
Because it is a one dimensional collision. The first object has to bounce backwards because there is no other place for it to go.

It does not have to go backward. It can continue forward at a reduced speed. You do not have to guess what is going to happen. Use the equations.

Even if I omit the minus sign, I get 8/81 for the fraction.

Then you must have made another error somewhere. Show your new derivation.
 

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