Which way does the tanker truck move on frictionless surface?

AI Thread Summary
When the outlet pipe of a stationary tanker truck on a frictionless surface is opened, the tanker moves to the right as the water exits to the left. This movement occurs due to the reaction force from the water being expelled, which causes the tanker to accelerate rightward. The acceleration of the tanker increases as more water exits, but the question arises about its motion after all the water has run out. Without friction, the tanker would continue moving indefinitely at its last speed once the water is fully expelled. The discussion emphasizes the mechanics of motion in a frictionless environment and the implications of the outlet design on the problem's complexity.
Kimia
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Homework Statement



A tanker which is full of water is parked on a road without friction. The tanker has an outlet pipe which is on the left side. if we open this pipe does the tanker move? describe the tanker's movement.

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The Attempt at a Solution


The tanker moves to right because the center of gravity of the hole system (all of the water and tanker) moves to left and as a result of that there is a force which pulls the water to left and the reaction pulls the tanker to the right. but the question is then what happens? the tanker accelerates more and more when the water exit but after the hole water exit will it stop or will it continue with the last amount of acceleration?
 
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If there is no friction, what would stop the tanker once the water runs out?
 
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phinds said:
If there is no friction, what would stop the tanker once the water runs out?
I agree I just wanted to make sure. so the whole solution is correct? I mean it moves right? and the acceleration will increase as long as the water runs out?
 
Kimia said:
I agree I just wanted to make sure. so the whole solution is correct? I mean it moves right? and the acceleration will increase as long as the water runs out?

Sounds right to me, although I think an outlet HOLE would make the problem simpler than an "outlet pipe" because if such a pipe runs for a ways out of the truck, I think that complicates things just a little right at the end.
 
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phinds said:
Sounds right to me, although I think an outlet HOLE would make the problem simpler than an "outlet pipe" because if such a pipe runs for a ways out of the truck, I think that complicates things just a little right at the end.
yes it was something like a hole. The purpose of the problem was to picture something which water comes out of it I think.
 
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