nonthesecond
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Mr Green, mass 80 kg, stepped off a boat of mass 35 kg at a speed of 3m/s. how fast did the boat move in the opposite direction?
The discussion revolves around a problem involving momentum and the interaction between a person and a boat. The scenario describes Mr. Green stepping off a boat, prompting questions about the resulting motion of the boat in the opposite direction.
Several participants have provided hints and guidance regarding the use of momentum formulas. There is ongoing exploration of the calculations needed to find the boat's speed, with some participants questioning their own reasoning and calculations. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and attempts to clarify the problem without reaching a definitive conclusion.
Participants are navigating through potential misunderstandings regarding the application of momentum concepts and the distinction between speed and velocity. There is also mention of initial conditions and assumptions about the system's state before Mr. Green steps off the boat.
rollcast said:As this sounds like a homework problems I'll just give you a few hints abut the problem.
Conservation of momentum for the total system states that the momentum before and after must be equal as there are no external forces acting upon the system.
So before he steps off as I'm assuming the boat is at rest, the total momentum of the system will be 0.
So after the man steps off the boat his momentum will be equal and opposite to that of the boat as the 2 momentums will cancel out to be zero.
rollcast said:You can use either but probably working out the momentum of the man using p = m * v, then use that value of p to work out the momentum of the boat, v = m / p. If you were working out the velocity of the boat afterwards you would need to make momentum negative but as it only asks for the speed you can keep momentum positive.
rollcast said:You can use either but probably working out the momentum of the man using p = m * v, then use that value of p to work out the momentum of the boat, v = m / p. If you were working out the velocity of the boat afterwards you would need to make momentum negative but as it only asks for the speed you can keep momentum positive.
nonthesecond said:is this correct?
80 x 3 = 240
80/240 = 0.3 (which is the velocity) so it's 0.3m/s^2
rollcast said:Sorry I made a mistake rearranging the formula for velocity.
It should be v=p/m
Your calculation for the momentum is correct and you should get the right answer if you use the right formula for the velocity.
nonthesecond said:how can it be 3m/s^2 because that ids already given in the question.
i think i remeber my teacher saying that it's: 80 + 35= 115
115 x 3 = 375
375/35 = 1.3...m/s
is that correct?
rollcast said:Thats how you would calculate the initial momentum for the system as the 2 masses are together and have the same velocity.
Initial momentum for the system = m * v = (80 + 35) * 0
Then you need to treat the 2 masses separate for the after stage as the 2 masses are not together anymore and will be moving in opposite directions (Newtons 3rd Law)
nonthesecond said:ok thanks so what would i have to do to find how fast the boat moved in the opposite direction?
rollcast said:Work out the momentum for Mr Green.
p = m * v
Then use this value as the momentum for the boat (You can ignore the fact it should be opposite as we are only working out speed not velocity) Rearrange the momentum formula to work out velocity (or speed in this case).
p = m * v
v = p / m
nonthesecond said:3 m/s is it squared but how can that be the answer when it's already written in the question?
rollcast said:For the second step you need to use the mass of the boat.
rollcast said:For the second step you need to use the mass of the boat.