Rotational and collision problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a mechanics problem from the book "Further Mechanics and Probability" by Bostock and Chandler. A uniform disc and a particle of the same mass collide, leading to a discrepancy in the calculated initial velocity of the disc's center, C. The participant calculates C's velocity as v/4 using conservation of angular momentum, while the book states it should be 2v/5. The confusion arises from differing interpretations of the moment of inertia used in the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of angular momentum
  • Familiarity with moment of inertia concepts, specifically for a disc
  • Basic mechanics principles regarding collisions
  • Knowledge of coordinate systems in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the moment of inertia for various shapes, focusing on the disc (2ma² vs. ma²/2)
  • Study conservation laws in mechanics, particularly angular momentum
  • Examine collision types and their effects on motion in physics
  • Investigate the specific edition of "Further Mechanics and Probability" for potential corrections
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those studying mechanics and collision problems, as well as anyone using Bostock and Chandler's texts for reference.

sunnypic143
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Homework Statement


This question I came across in mechanics book by Bostock Chandler
> A uniform disc, resting on a smooth horizontal table, has mass 'm', radius 'a' and centre C. A particle of mass 'm', moving across the table with speed 'v', strikes a point A on the circumference of the disc when traveling at right angles to AC. If the particle adheres to the disc, find the initial velocity of C.

Homework Equations


Both the particle and the disc have same mass, so after the event velocity of the common centre of mass will be v/2. thereafter applying conservation of angular momentum about the common center of mass i get the velocity of C as v/4, but the answer specified in the book is 2v/5. Where am i going wrong
 
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Hi sunnypic143! :smile:

yes, I applied conservation of angular momentum about A, and got the same result …

(v - 2w)/a ma2/2 = maw, so v - 2w = 2w.

it looks as if the book has used 2ma2 for the moment of inertia of a disc, instead of ma2/2 … v - 2w = w/2. :confused:

Is this is the latest edition of the book? Maybe a later one has a correction (and which book by Bostock and Chandler is it)?​
 
hey tim thanks 4 the replyo:)

this is exactly what i thought!

but i have gr8 respect for the authors, probably they implied a different orientation of the disc
say xz plane(if we assume table to be xy) and the particle travels along y axis

or something else like that and they failed to convey it properly
if anything else occurs to you be sure to reply
i wouldn't buy that the authors took moment of inertia as 2ma^2. Sounds too dumb of them if they did.:rolleyes: Anyway thanx:approve:

Btw the book is 'further mechanics and probability' published by stanley thornes
 

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