What Are the Final Speeds of a Material Point and a Wedge Without Friction?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a material point and a wedge without friction. The original poster seeks to determine the final speeds of both objects as time approaches infinity, utilizing principles of conservation of energy and momentum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation laws, with the original poster presenting equations related to energy and momentum. There are inquiries about the velocity of the wedge and the relationship between the speeds of the two objects.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some have suggested simplifications and clarified relationships between the velocities, while others have introduced related problems for comparison.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a similar problem involving an initial speed for the material point and conditions for achieving maximum height. Participants note the importance of maintaining separate threads for distinct problems.

Karozo
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Homework Statement



I think that the image is clear.
There isn't friction, not the material point with wedge, not the wedge with the floor.

At time t=0 the material point start to move, I need to find the final speed of the two objects at time [itex]t\rightarrow\infty[/itex].

Homework Equations



I have used conservation of energy and momentum.

The Attempt at a Solution



So I have two equation:
[itex]\frac{1}{2}m{v_m}^2+\frac{1}{2}M{v_M}^2 = mgR[/itex]

[itex]m{v_m}+M{v_M}=0[/itex]

And the solution is [itex]{v_m}=\sqrt{\frac{mgR}{\frac{1}{2}m+\frac{1}{2}\frac{m^2}{M}}}[/itex]

Am I wrong?
 

Attachments

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It can be simplified, but it looks okay. What about the velocity of the other object?
 
Well, if [itex]V_m[/itex] is right is very simple to find [itex]V_M[/itex], so I haven't written it.
 
I have also a similar problem, you can see the image.

In this the mass m, start with an initial speed [itex]v_0[/itex], you have to find [itex]v_0[/itex] so that the material point has maximum height R.

I think that is right to use the two equations:

[itex]\frac{1}{2}m{v_m}^2+\frac{1}{2}M{v_M}^2+mgR=\frac{1}{2}m{v_0}^2[/itex] energy

[itex]m{v_m}+M{v_M}=mv_0[/itex] momentum

for the point of maximum height, and then you have [itex]{v_m}={v_M}[/itex] , because the two bodies are in contact.
 

Attachments

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Karozo said:
I have also a similar problem, you can see the image.
Next time, you should put a new problem in a new thread.

In this the mass m, start with an initial speed [itex]v_0[/itex], you have to find [itex]v_0[/itex] so that the material point has maximum height R.

I think that is right to use the two equations:

[itex]\frac{1}{2}m{v_m}^2+\frac{1}{2}M{v_M}^2+mgR=\frac{1}{2}m{v_0}^2[/itex] energy

[itex]m{v_m}+M{v_M}=mv_0[/itex] momentum

for the point of maximum height, and then you have [itex]{v_m}={v_M}[/itex] , because the two bodies are in contact.
That appears correct.
 

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