Why Does the Tube's Velocity Become Zero After Collisions?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of a tube during collisions involving two objects, A and B. Participants are exploring the implications of momentum conservation and the resulting velocities of the tube and the objects after the collisions.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand why the tube's velocity is stated to be zero after the collisions, despite their calculations suggesting otherwise. There are discussions about the timing of the collisions and the application of conservation of momentum.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the concepts of momentum conservation and the dynamics of the system. Some participants are questioning the assumptions made regarding the velocities and the distances covered by the objects, while others are providing insights into the implications of considering the tube as part of the system.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of their calculations and the definitions of the system involved. There is a noted confusion regarding the intuitive understanding of the scenario, particularly in relation to the direction of movement and the distances covered by the objects post-collision.

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Homework Statement







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The Attempt at a Solution



I solved questions a) and b) no problem but the thing is that in c)

i said that B will hit the end first so at first the tube will move with a speed Vtube1 ( Vb=x/t).So t=23.25s . After some time which i found to be 47.17 s , object A will hit the other end so the tube will now move by δV = Va-Vb .

But in the solutions it says that the tube's velocity will be zero!

can you please explain ?!
 

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Hi ZxcvbnM2000! :smile:
ZxcvbnM2000 said:
i said that B will hit the end first so at first the tube will move with a speed Vtube1 ( Vb=x/t).So t=23.25s . After some time which i found to be 47.17 s , object A will hit the other end so the tube will now move by δV = Va-Vb .

How can it take 23 s to go only 1 m ? :confused:

A will hit first.

(It would help in future if you show all your calculations at the start.)
But in the solutions it says that the tube's velocity will be zero!


what about conservation of momentum?
 
Explosion (system of objects A&B) : 0 = 0.8*1 + 3* ub so ub = -0.26 m/s .

Object A : Ma*ua = (Ma+Mtube)*Vtube <=> Vtube = 0.0615 m/s

Object B : Mb*ub=(Mb+Mtube)*V'tube so V'tube=-0.052 m/s

And because this is space we're talking about the movement is linear so V=x/t for each object and we can find the times until they hit the ends.

What do you mean conservation of momentum ?
This is really not intuitive for me!

So you are saying that if we consider the tube as system how can we prove that it won't move ?
 
ZxcvbnM2000 said:
Object A : Ma*ua = (Ma+Mtube)*Vtube <=> Vtube = 0.0615 m/s

Object B : Mb*ub=(Mb+Mtube)*V'tube so V'tube=-0.052 m/s

A yes; B no, because you need to use the new velocity and mass after A collides with the tube
What do you mean conservation of momentum ?
This is really not intuitive for me!

So you are saying that if we consider the tube as system how can we prove that it won't move ?

if we consider the whole thing as the system, yes :smile:
 
Momentum Conservation between ( A&Tube) & B

so mb*ub + (ma + mtube)*V = (ma +mb +mtube)*V'

but we know that ma*ua + 0 =(ma +mtube)*V , also -maua=mbub

so V' = 0 right ?? So it won't move.But i have a question as The tube is going to the left after colliding with A and B is going to the right doesn't this mean that B will cover less distance ??
 
ZxcvbnM2000 said:
Momentum Conservation between ( A&Tube) & B

so mb*ub + (ma + mtube)*V = (ma +mb +mtube)*V'

but we know that ma*ua + 0 =(ma +mtube)*V , also -maua=mbub

so V' = 0 right ?? So it won't move.

quicker would be to compare before and after for the whole thing :wink:
The tube is going to the left after colliding with A and B is going to the right doesn't this mean that B will cover less distance ??

yes, but so what? it won't affect the velocities, and the question doesn't ask for it! :smile:
 

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