Father and Son Racing Kinetic Energy

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A father racing his son has half the kinetic energy of the son, who has half the mass of the father. The father accelerates by 1.0 m/s, resulting in equal kinetic energies. The initial conditions establish that the father's mass is twice that of the son, leading to the equations for kinetic energy. The calculations reveal an error in determining the father's initial speed, which is stated to be 1 m/s, while the correct value is 2.4 m/s according to the textbook. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly applying the kinetic energy formula and solving the equations accurately.
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Homework Statement


A father racing his son has half the kinetic energy of the son,who has half the mass of the father.The father speeds up by ##1.0\frac {m} {s}## and then has the same kinetic energy as the son.What are the original speeds of (a)the father and (b) the son

Homework Equations


##E_k=\frac 1 2 mv^2##

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]##m_f=2m_s##
##2E_f=E_s##

İnital situation;
##2E_f= m_f(v_{f_0})^2=E_s=\frac 1 2 m_s(v_{s_0})^2##

so
##m_f=2m_s##

then we will obtain ##4(v_{f_0})^2=(v_{s_0})^2##

Final situation

##\frac 1 2 m_f(v_{f_0}+1)^2=\frac 1 2 m_s(v_{s_0})^2##

then I get ##v_{f_0}=1\frac {m} {s}## which book says its ##2.4\frac {m} {s}##

Where I am going wrong ? (My native language is not english so If made a mistake in understanding the question so sorry )

Thanks
 
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Arman777 said:
##\frac 1 2 m_f(v_{f_0}+1)^2=\frac 1 2 m_s(v_{s_0})^2##
Everything looks good here. Show how you got your answer.
 
Doc Al said:
Everything looks good here. Show how you got your answer.

##\frac 1 2 m_f(v_{f_0}+1)^2=\frac 1 2 m_s(v_{s_0})^2##

we know that

##m_f=2m_s##
so
##\frac 1 2 2m_s(v_{f_0}+1)^2=\frac 1 2 m_s(v_{s_0})^2##

then we get ;

##2m_s(v_{f_0}+1)^2=m_s(v_{s_0})^2##

##2(v_{f_0}+1)^2=(v_{s_0})^2## (1)

##\frac {(v_{s_0})^2} 2=2(v_{f_0})^2## (2) From the ##4(v_{f_0})^2=(v_{s_0})^2##

lets put this ##Eq_2## in the ##Eq_1##

##(v_{f_0}+1)^2=2(v_{f_0})^2##

##(v_{f_0})^2+2(v_{f_0})+1=2(v_{f_0})^2##

##(v_{f_0})^2-2(v_{f_0})-1=0##

##((v_{f_0})-1)^2=0##

##(v_{f_0})=1\frac {m} {s}##
 
Arman777 said:
##(v_{f_0})^2-2(v_{f_0})-1=0##

##((v_{f_0})-1)^2=0##
This is where you're messing up.
 
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Doc Al said:
This is where you're messing up.

Oh I see.Thanks.unbelievable...
 
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