Some Kinematics questions with cars and satallites

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving kinematics problems involving collisions and satellite motion. The first question involves a 2000 kg car and a 3600 kg truck, where the conservation of momentum in both the North and East directions is essential for determining their velocity after impact. The second question pertains to calculating the acceleration of an Earth satellite in a circular orbit with a radius four times that of Earth. The third question requires using the gravitational constant G = 6.67 x 10^-11 Nm²/kg² to calculate the mass of the Earth based on a satellite's orbital period and altitude.

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  • Knowledge of circular motion and centripetal acceleration
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  • Study the principles of conservation of momentum in collisions
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neonjr
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Having difficulty with the followingCalculating this collision, as the standard equation does not apply, i don't think.

Question 1:

A 2000kg car traveling at 24 m/s EAST (x), collides with a 3600kg truck traveling at 10m/s SOUTH(y). What is there velocity immediately after impact.

Question 2:

An Earth Satellite travels in a circular orbit of radius 4 times the Earths radius. Calculate its acceleration in m/s^2


Question 3:

A satellite circles the Earth at an average altitude of 760km, with a period of 100 min. Calculate the mass of the Earth, if G = 6.67x10^-11 Nm^2/kg^2, and the radius of the Earth is 6.38x10^6m.


Can you advise me the correct equation to use and directions, I'm lost. Please and thank you.

Josh
 
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neonjr said:
Having difficulty with the followingCalculating this collision, as the standard equation does not apply, i don't think.
A 2000kg car traveling at 24 m/s EAST (x), collides with a 3600kg truck traveling at 10m/s SOUTH(y). What is there velocity immediately after impact.

Hi Josh! Welcome to PF! :smile:

By "standard equation", I take it you mean conservation of momentum in one dimension?

It's ok - you just have two equations instead of one - conservation of momentum North, and conservation of momentum East! :smile:

(btw, I suppose you're expected to use conservation of energy as well - but in practice, it wouldn't be conserved, because the vehicles would be deformed in the collision. :frown:)

As to Questions 2 and 3: do you know a formula for the aceleration of something in a circle?
 

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