Solving Momentum vs Energy Problem: Distance of Clay Parts

  • Thread starter Thread starter derfrok
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy Momentum
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on a physics problem involving two lumps of clay, one thrown and the other suspended, that collide and stick together. Participants question why the problem is framed as an energy issue rather than a momentum one, noting the confusion around the setup. It is clarified that conservation of momentum applies during the collision, while conservation of energy is relevant immediately after, as kinetic energy transforms into potential energy. The transformation occurs because, post-collision, the combined mass of the clay rises, converting kinetic energy into gravitational potential energy. Understanding this transition is key to solving the problem effectively.
derfrok
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
okay, in class my teacher explained to us a problem where he threw up two lumps of clay into the air where the 2nd one was suspended in mid-air and the 1st one was thrown up into it. They collided and stuck to each other. He wanted us to figure out the distance the two parts of clay traveled.

Okay, the question is really this.. How come it's a Energy Problem rather than a Momentum problem? TIA
 
Physics news on Phys.org
can you post the whole question up? this description is abit brief...
 
The problem makes not a whole lot of sense! Two lumps of clay were thrown in the air? Then how was one "suspended" in mid-air? Were they thrown directly up or at an angle? Exactly what distance are you talking about?
 
I recognize this question because it seems to be in every textbook.
(One ball of clay is help by a thread or something)

It does require analysis of both energy and momentum:

in short, you use the conservation of momentum to analyze all problems that feature collisions. Immediately after the collision (the first infinitesimal moment of time)it becomes a conservation of energy problem where the kinetic energy transforms into potential energy.
 
yup that's it.. can you ellaborate more on why after the collision the KE becomes PE in this case? TIA
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Is Momentum or Kinetic Energy Conserved in a Clay Collision?
Replies
2
Views
3K
Conservation of Mechanical Energy - Which Equation To Use?
Replies
9
Views
1K
Clay-stick inertia & energy problem
Replies
4
Views
2K
Momentum/conservation of momentum problem
Replies
5
Views
2K
Conservation of momentum - trampoline
Replies
5
Views
3K
Solving Toppling Hemisphere Problem with Momentum & Angular Momentum
Replies
19
Views
3K
Conservation of Momentum Problems: Find Final Velocity | Part A, B, C
Replies
8
Views
12K
Solve Energy & Momentum Problem: Urgent Homework
Replies
1
Views
2K
Conservation of Momentum vs Energy
Replies
3
Views
1K
Conservation of momentum - with understanding
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top