Engineering Solving Momentum Conservation Problems: Tips & Tricks

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding momentum conservation in the context of a problem involving frictionless motion. Participants are seeking clarification on how to connect the concept of momentum conservation to the "sweet spot" of a ball and its relationship to the variable L. A participant attempts to formulate an equation involving initial conditions and forces but feels it lacks direction. The conversation suggests looking for a detailed derivation to better grasp the concepts involved. Overall, the thread emphasizes the importance of relating theoretical principles to practical scenarios in momentum conservation problems.
greg_rack
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Homework Statement
DIAGRAM ATTACHED BELOW:
Determine the height ##h## of the bumper of
the pool table, so that when the pool ball
of mass ##m## strikes it, no frictional force
will be developed between the ball and
the table at A. Assume the bumper exerts
only a horizontal force on the ball.
Relevant Equations
Conservation of momentum, planar rigid body kinetics
Screenshot 2021-12-30 090728.jpg
Hello guys,

could someone give me a small hint to get me started on attempting this problem? I really cannot figure out how to relate conservation of momentum to the fact that there shouldn't be friction... does it have something to do with the so-called "sweet spot" of the ball?
But then, where's the correlation with ##L##.

With the latter, the only thing I can come up is, with subscript ##_i## for init. conditions:
$$F_{bumper}\Delta t +F_{friction}\Delta t_2=mv_{Gi} \rightarrow
F_{bumper}\Delta t=mv_{Gi}$$
... but it doesn't seem to take me anywhere
 
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greg_rack said:
something to do with the so-called "sweet spot" of the ball?
It certainly does ! Google for a derivation showing the details ... :wink:

##\ ##
 
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