Chapter 08 Homework Assignment

10/27/2019 Chapter 08 Homework Assignment
Chapter 08 Homework Assignment

Due: 11:59pm on Thursday, October 31, 2019
You will receive no credit for items you complete after the assignment is due. Grading Policy
Center of Mass and External Forces
Learning Goal:
Understand that, for many purposes, a system can be treated as a point-like particle with its mass concentrated at the center of
mass.
A complex system of objects, both point-like and extended ones, can often be treated as a point particle, located at the system's
center of mass. Such an approach can greatly simplify problem solving.
Before you use the center of mass approach, you should first understand the following terms:
System: Any collection of objects that are of interest to you in a particular situation. In many problems, you have a
certain freedom in choosing your system. Making a wise choice for the system is often the first step in solving the
problem efficiently.
Center of mass: The point that represents the "average" position of the entire mass of a system. The postion of the
center of mass r cm
⃗ can be expressed in terms of the position vectors r i⃗ of the particles as
∑ m i r i⃗
⃗
r cm = .
∑ mi
The x coordinate of the center of mass xcm can be expressed in terms of the x coordinates (rx )i of the particles
as
∑ m i (rx )
.
i
x cm =
∑ mi
Similarly, the y coordinate of the center of mass can be expressed.

Internal force: Any force that results from an interaction between the objects inside your system. As we will show,
the internal forces do not affect the motion of the system's center of mass.
External force: Any force acting on an object inside your system that results from an interaction with an object
outside your system.
Consider a system of two blocks that have masses m1 and m2 . Assume that the blocks are point-like particles and are located
along the x axis at the coordinates x1 and x2 as shown . In this
problem, the blocks can only move along the x axis.
Part A
Find the x coordinate xcm of the center of mass of the system.
Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , x1 , and x2 .

ANSWER:
https://session.masteringphysics.com/myct/assignmentPrintView?assignmentID=7488219 1/20
m 1 x 1 +m 2 x 2
xcm = m 1 +m 2
Correct
Part B
If m2 ≫ m1 , then the center of mass is located:
ANSWER:
to the left of m1 at a distance much greater than x2 − x1
to the left of m1 at a distance much less than x2 − x1
to the right of m1 at a distance much less than x2 − x1
to the right of m2 at a distance much greater than x2 − x1
to the right of m2 at a distance much less than x2 − x1
to the left of m2 at a distance much less than x2 − x1
Correct
Part C
If m2 = m1 , then the center of mass is located:
ANSWER:
at m1
at m2
half-way between m1 and m2
the answer depends on x1 and x2
Correct
Part D
Recall that the blocks can only move along the x axis. The x components of their velocities at a certain moment are v 1x and
v 2x . Find the x component of the velocity of the center of mass (v cm ) at that moment. Keep in mind that, in general:
x
v x = dx/dt .
Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , v 1x , and v 2x .

ANSWER:
m 1 v1x +m 2 v2x
(v cm )
x
=
m 1 +m 2
Correct
Because v 1x and v 2x are the x components of the velocities of m1 and m2 their values can be positive or
negative or equal to zero.
Part E
→ →
Suppose that v 1x and v 2x have equal magnitudes. Also, v1 is directed to the right and v2 is directed to the left. The velocity
of the center of mass is then:
ANSWER:
directed to the left
directed to the right
zero
m1
the answer depends on the ratio m2
Correct
Part F
Assume that the x components of the blocks' momenta at a certain moment are p1x and p2x . Find the x component of the
velocity of the center of mass (v cm )x at that moment.
Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , p1x , and p2x .

ANSWER:
p 1x +p 2x
(v cm )
x
=
m 1 +m 2
Correct
Part G
Suppose that v cm
⃗ = 0 . Which of the following must be true?
ANSWER:
|p | = |p |
1x 2x
|v 1x | = |v 2x |
m1 = m2
none of the above
Correct
Part H
Assume that the blocks are accelerating, and the x components of their accelerations at a certain moment are a1x and a2x .
Find the x component of the acceleration of the center of mass (acm )x at that moment. Keep in mind that, in general,
ax = dv x /dt .
Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , a1x , and a2x .
ANSWER:
m 1 a1x +m 2 a2x
(acm )
x
=
m 1 +m 2
Correct
Because a1x and a2x are the x components of the velocities of m1 and m2 their values can be positive or
negative or equal to zero.
We will now consider the effect of external and internal forces on the acceleration of the center of mass.
Part I
Consider the same system of two blocks. An external force F ⃗ is now acting on block m1 . No forces are applied to block m2
as shown . Find the x component of the acceleration of the center
of mass (acm )x of the system.
Express your answer in terms of the x component Fx of the

force, m1 ,and m2 .
Hint 1. Using Newton's laws
Find the acceleration of each block from Newton's second law and then apply the formula for (acm )x found earlier.
ANSWER:
Fx
(acm )
x
=
m 1 +m 2
Correct
Part J
→
Consider the same system of two blocks. Now, there are two forces involved. An external force F1 is acting on block m1
→
and another external force F2 is acting on block m2 . Find the x
component of the acceleration of the center of mass (acm )x of
the system.
Express your answer in terms of the x components F1x and
F 2x of the forces, m 1 and m 2 .
ANSWER:
F1x +F2x
(acm )
x
=
m 1 +m 2
Correct
Note that, in both cases, the acceleration of the center of mass can be found as
(Fnet )
x
(acm ) =
x Mtotal
where Fnet is the net external force applied to the system, and Mtotal is the total mass of the system. Even
though each force is only applied to one object, it affects the acceleration of the center of mass of the entire
system.
This result is especially useful since it can be applied to a general case, involving any number of objects moving in
all directions and being acted upon by any number of external forces.
Part K
Consider the previous situation. Under what condition would the acceleration of the center of mass be zero? Keep in mind
that F1x and F2x represent the components, of the corresponding forces.
ANSWER:
F 1x = −F 2x
F 1x = F 2x
m1 = m2
m1 ≪ m2
Correct
Part L
⃗
Consider the same system of two blocks. Now, there are two internal forces involved. An internal force F 12 is applied to
⃗
block m1 by block m2 and another internal force F 21 is applied to block m2 by block m1 . Find the x component of the
acceleration of the center of mass (acm )x of the system.
Express your answer in terms of the x components F12x and

F 21x of the forces, m 1 and m 2 .
ANSWER:
(acm )
x
= 0
Correct
Newton's 3rd law tells you that |F12x | = −|F21x | . From your answers above, you can conclude that
(acm ) = 0 .The internal forces do not change the velocity of the center of mass of the system. In the absence of
x
any external forces, (acm )x = 0 and (v cm )x is constant.
You just demonstrated this to be the case for the two-body situation moving along the x axis; however, it is true in
more general cases as well.
A Bullet Is Fired into a Wooden Block
A bullet of mass mb is fired horizontally with speed v i at a wooden block of mass mw resting on a frictionless table. The bullet
hits the block and becomes completely embedded within it. After the bullet has come to rest within the block, the block, with the
bullet in it, is traveling at speed v f .
Part A
Which of the following best describes this collision?
Hint 1. Types of collisions
An inelastic collision is a collision in which kinetic energy is not conserved. In a partially inelastic collision, kinetic
energy is lost, but the objects colliding do not stick together. From this information, you can infer what completely
inelastic and elastic collisions are.
ANSWER:
perfectly elastic
partially inelastic
perfectly inelastic
Correct
Part B
Which of the following quantities, if any, are conserved during this collision?
Hint 1. When is kinetic energy conserved?
Kinetic energy is conserved only in perfectly elastic collisions.
ANSWER:
kinetic energy only
momentum only
kinetic energy and momentum
neither momentum nor kinetic energy
Correct
Part C
What is the speed of the block/bullet system after the collision?
Express your answer in terms of v i , mw , and mb .
Hint 1. Find the momentum after the collision
What is the total momentum ptotal of the block/bullet system after the collision?
Express your answer in terms of v f and other given quantities.
ANSWER:
p
total
= (m w + m b )v f
Hint 2. Use conservation of momentum
The momentum of the block/bullet system is conserved. Therefore, the momentum before the collision is the same
as the momentum after the collision. Find a second expression for ptotal , this time expressed as the total momentum
of the system before the collision.
Express your answer in terms of v i and other given quantities.
ANSWER:
p
total
= mb v i
ANSWER:
m b vi
vf = m w +m b
Correct
A Ball Hits a Wall Elastically
A ball of mass m moving with velocity v i⃗ strikes a vertical wall as shown in . The angle between the ball's initial velocity vector
and the wall is θi as shown on the diagram, which depicts the situation as seen from above. The duration of the collision
between the ball and the wall is Δt, and this collision is completely
elastic. Friction is negligible, so the ball does not start spinning. In this
idealized collision, the force exerted on the ball by the wall is parallel
to the x axis.
Part A
What is the final angle θf that the ball's velocity vector makes with the negative y axis?
Express your answer in terms of quantities given in the problem introduction.
Hint 1. How to approach the problem
Relate the vector components of the ball's initial and final velocities. This will allow you to determine θf in terms of θi .
Hint 2. Find the y component of the ball's final velocity

What is v f y , the y component of the final velocity of the ball?
Express your answer in terms of quantities given in the problem introduction and/or v ix and v iy , the x and y
components of the ball's initial velocity.
Hint 1. How to approach this part
There is no force on the ball in the y direction. From the impulse-momentum theorem, this means that the
change in the y component of the ball's momentum must be zero.
ANSWER:
vf y = −v i cos(θi )
Hint 3. Find the x component of the ball's final velocity
What is v f x , the x component of the ball' final velocity?

Express your answer in terms of quantities given in the problem introduction and/or v ix and v iy , the x and y
components of the ball's initial velocity.
Hint 1. How to approach this problem

Since energy is conserved in this collision, the final speed of the ball must be equal to its initial speed.
ANSWER:
vf x = −v i sin(θi )
Hint 4. Putting it together

Once you find the vector components of the final velocity in terms of the initial velocity, use the geometry of similar
triangles to determine θf in terms of θi .
ANSWER:
θf = θi
Correct
Part B
What is the magnitude F of the average force exerted on the ball by the wall?
Express your answer in terms of variables given in the problem introduction and/or v ix .
Hint 1. What physical principle to use

⃗ ⃗ ⃗
Use the impulse-momentum theorem, J = p ⃗ − p ⃗
f i
, along with the definition of impulse, J = ∑ F Δt . In this
p f⃗ −p i⃗
case, only one force is acting, so ∣∣J ∣∣⃗ = F Δt . Putting everything together, F = .
Δt
Hint 2. Change in momentum of the ball
The fact that θf = θi implies that the y component of the ball's momentum does not change during the collision.
What is Δpx , the magnitude of the change in the ball's x momentum?
Express your answer in terms of quantities given in the problem introduction and/or v ix .
ANSWER:
Δpx = 2mv i sin(θi )
ANSWER:
2mvi sin(θf )
F =
Δt
Correct
Exercise 8.12
A bat strikes a 0.145-kg baseball. Just before impact, the ball is traveling horizontally to the right at 60.0 m/s , and it leaves the
bat traveling to the left at an angle of 30 ∘ above horizontal with a speed of 65.0 m/s . The ball and bat are in contact for 1.65
ms .
Part A
Find the horizontal component of the average force on the ball. Take the x-direction to be positive to the right
Express your answer using two significant figures.

ANSWER:
Fx = −1.0×104 N
Correct
Part B
Find the vertical component of the average force on the ball.
Express your answer using two significant figures.
ANSWER:
Fy = 2900 N
Correct
Exercise 8.17
The expanding gases that leave the muzzle of a rifle also contribute to the recoil. A .30 caliber bullet has mass 7.20×10−3 kg
and a speed of 601 m/s relative to the muzzle when fired from a rifle that has mass 3.00 kg . The loosely held rifle recoils at a
speed of 1.95 m/s relative to the earth.
Part A
Find the momentum of the propellant gases in a coordinate system attached to the earth as they leave the muzzle of the
rifle.
ANSWER:
p = 1.54 kg ⋅ m/s
Correct
Conservation of Momentum in Inelastic Collisions
Learning Goal:
To understand the vector nature of momentum in the case in which two objects collide and stick together.
In this problem we will consider a collision of two moving objects such that after the collision, the objects stick together and travel
off as a single unit. The collision is therefore completely inelastic.
You have probably learned that "momentum is conserved" in an inelastic collision. But how does this fact help you to solve
collision problems? The following questions should help you to clarify the meaning and implications of the statement "momentum
is conserved."
Part A
What physical quantities are conserved in this collision?
ANSWER:
the magnitude of the momentum only
the net momentum (considered as a vector) only
the momentum of each object considered individually
Correct
Part B
Two cars of equal mass collide inelastically and stick together after the collision. Before the collision, their speeds are v 1
and v 2 . What is the speed of the two-car system after the collision?
Think about how you would calculate the final speed of the two cars with the information provided and using the idea
of conservation of momentum. Better yet, try the calculation out. What do you get?
ANSWER:
v1 + v2
v1 − v2
v2 − v1
−− − −
√v 1 v 2
v1 +v2
−− − −−−−−
2 2
√v1 + v2
The answer depends on the directions in which the cars were moving before the collision.
Correct
Part C
Two cars collide inelastically and stick together after the collision. Before the collision, the magnitudes of their momenta are
p and p . After the collision, what is the magnitude of their combined momentum?
1 2

Think about how you would calculate the final momentum of the two cars using the information provided and the idea
of conservation of momentum. Better yet, try the calculation out. What do you get? Keep in mind that momentum is a
vector, but you are asked about the magnitude of the momentum, which is a scalar.
ANSWER:
p +p
1 2
p −p
1 2
p −p
2 1
−− − −
√p 1 p 2
p 1 +p 2
−−− −−−−−
2 2
√p +p
1 2
The answer depends on the directions in which the cars were moving before the collision.
Correct
Part D
Two cars collide inelastically and stick together after the collision. Before the collision, their momenta are p 1⃗ and p 2⃗ . After
the collision, their combined momentum is p .⃗ Of what can one be certain?
Hint 1. Momentum is a vector

Momentum is a vector quantity, and conservation of momentum holds for two-dimensional and three-dimensional
collisions as well as for one-dimensional collisions.
ANSWER:
→ →
p ⃗ = p + p
1 2
→ →
p ⃗ = p − p
1 2
→ →
p ⃗ = p − p
2 1
Correct
You can decompose the vector equation that states the conservation of momentum into individual equations for
each of the orthogonal components of the vectors.
Part E
Two cars collide inelastically and stick together after the collision. Before the collision, the magnitudes of their momenta are
p1 and p2 . After the collision, the magnitude of their combined momentum is p. Of what can one be certain?
Hint 1. How to approach the problem mathematically
Momentum is a vector quantity. It is impossible to make exact predictions about the direction of motion after a
collision if nothing is known about the direction of motion before the collision. However, one can put some bounds on
the values of the final momentum. Start with the expression for p ⃗ from Part D:
→ →
p ⃗ = p + p
1 2
.
Therefore,
− −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−− − −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
→ → → →
∣ ∣ 2 2 2 2
|p| =
∣
p1 + p2 = √ |p1 | + |p2 | + 2 p1 ⋅ p2 = √ |p1 | + |p2 | + 2|p1 ||p2 | cos θ
∣
,
where θ is the angle between p 1⃗ and p 2⃗ . (To derive the above, you would have to break each vector into
components.) So the value of |p| is controlled by θ.
Hint 2. How to approach the problem empirically

Consider the directions for the initial momenta that will give the largest and smallest final momentum.
ANSWER:
−− − −
p 1 + p 2 ≥ p ≥ √p 1 p 2
p 1 +p 2
p +p ≥p≥
1 2 2
p +p ≥ p ≥ |p −p |
1 2 1 2
−−− −−−−−
2 2
p +p ≥ p ≥ √p +p
1 2 1 2
Correct
When the two cars collide, the magnitude of the final momentum will always be at most p1 + p2 (a value attained
if the cars were moving in the same direction before the collision) and at least |p1 − p2 | (a value attained if the
cars were moving in opposite directions before the collision).
Colliding Cars
In this problem we will consider the collision of two cars initially moving at right angles. We assume that after the collision the
cars stick together and travel off as a single unit. The collision is therefore completely inelastic.
Two cars of masses m1 and m2 collide at an intersection. Before the collision, car 1 was traveling eastward at a speed of v 1 ,
and car 2 was traveling northward at a speed of v 2 . After the collision, the two cars stick together and travel off in the direction
shown.
Part A
First, find the magnitude of v ,⃗ that is, the speed v of the two-car unit after the collision.
Express v in terms of m1 , m2 , and the cars' initial speeds v 1 and v 2 .
Hint 1. Conservation of momentum

Recall that conservation of linear momentum may be expressed as a vector equation,
⃗
p initial = p f⃗ inal .
Each vector component of linear momentum is conserved separately.
Hint 2. x and y components of momentum
The momentum of the two-car system immediately after the collision may be written as p ⃗ = p
x
^ ^
i +p j
y
, where the x
and y directions are the eastward and northward directions, respectively.
Find px and py
Express the two components, separated by a comma, in terms of m1 , m2 , v 1 and v 2 .

ANSWER:
px , py = ,
m1 v 1 m2 v 2
Hint 3. A vector and its components
Recall that the square of the magnitude of a vector is given by the Pythagorean formula:
p
2 2 2
= px + py .
Hint 4. Velocity and momentum

Find v , the magnitude of the final velocity.
Express v in terms of the magnitude of the final momentum p and the masses m1 and m2 .
ANSWER:
p
v = m 1 +m 2
ANSWER:
2 2
√(
m 1 v1 ) +(m 2 v2 )
v =
m 1 +m 2
Correct
Part B
Find the tangent of the angle θ.
Express your answer in terms of the momenta of the two cars, p1 and p2 .
ANSWER:
p2
tan(θ) = p1
Correct
Part C
Suppose that after the collision, tan θ = 1 ; in other words, θ is 45 ∘ . This means that before the collision:
ANSWER:
The magnitudes of the momenta of the cars were equal.
The masses of the cars were equal.
The velocities of the cars were equal.
Correct
Exercise 8.42
A bullet of mass 5.00 g is fired horizontally into a wooden block of mass 1.12 kg resting on a horizontal surface. The coefficient
of kinetic friction between block and surface is 0.250. The bullet remains embedded in the block, which is observed to slide a
distance 0.270 m along the surface before stopping.
Part A
What was the initial speed of the bullet?
ANSWER:
v = 259 m/s
Correct
Trading Momenta in a Collision
Two particles move perpendicular to each other until they collide.

Particle 1 has mass m and momentum of magnitude 2p, and particle
2 has mass 2m and momentum of magnitude p. Note: Magnitudes
are not drawn to scale in any of the figures.
Part A
Suppose that after the collision, the particles "trade" their momenta, as shown in the figure. That is, particle 1 now has
magnitude of momentum p, and particle 2 has magnitude of momentum 2p; furthermore, each particle is now moving in the
direction in which the other had been moving. How much kinetic energy, Klost , is lost in the collision?
Express your answer in terms of m and p.

To find the kinetic energy lost in the collision, compute the initial kinetic energy Kinitial (before the collision) and the
final kinetic energy Kf inal (after the collision). Then take the difference: Klost = Kinitial − Kf inal .
Hint 2. Find the relationship between energy and momentum

What is the kinetic energy K of a particle with mass m and magnitude of momentum p?
ANSWER:
2
p
K =
2m
Hint 3. Find the initial kinetic energy
What is the initial kinetic energy Kinitial of the two-particle system?

Express your answer in terms of p and m.
Hint 1. Find the kinetic energy of particle 1

Find the kinetic energy K1.initial of particle 1 before the collision.
ANSWER:
2
(2p)
K1.initial =
2m
Hint 2. Find the kinetic energy of particle 2

Find the kinetic energy K2.initial of particle 2 before the collision.

ANSWER:
2
p
K2.initial =
2(2m)
ANSWER:
2
9p
Kinitial =
4m
Hint 4. Find the final kinetic energy

What is the final kinetic energy Kf inal of the two-particle system?
ANSWER:
2
3p
Kf inal =
2m
ANSWER:
2
3 p
Klost =
4 m
Correct
Part B
Consider an alternative situation: This time the particles collide completely inelastically. How much kinetic energy Klost is
lost in this case?

As in Part A, to find the kinetic energy lost in the collision, compute the initial kinetic energy Kinitial (before the
collision) and the final kinetic energy Kf inal (after the collision). Then take the difference: Klost = Kinitial − Kf inal .
Hint 2. Definition of completely inelastic

A completely inelastic collision is one in which the particles stick together after the collision.
Hint 3. Initial kinetic energy

The initial kinetic energy in this case is the same as it was in the partially elastic collision.
Hint 4. Find the final kinetic energy

What is the combined kinetic energy Kf inal of the two particles after the perfectly inelestic collision? If you use the
2
p
formula K = , remember that p is the magnitude of the momentum vector.
2m
Hint 1. Find the magnitude of the final momentum
What is the magnitude of p f⃗ inal , the total momentum of the two particles after the collision?
Express pf inal in terms of p.
Hint 1. Find the final momentum vector
What is the total momentum p f⃗ inal of the two particles after the collision? Take the positive x direction
to be to the right in the figures and the positive y direction to be upward.
Express your answer as a vector in terms of p and the unit vectors ^i and ^
j.
ANSWER:
p ⃗
f inal
= ^ ^
2p i + p j
ANSWER:
p
f inal
= √5 p
ANSWER:
2
5p
Kf inal =
6m
ANSWER:
2
17p
Klost =
12m
Correct
Problem 8.101
A neutron at rest decays (breaks up) to a proton and an electron. Energy is released in the decay and appears as kinetic energy
of the proton and electron. The mass of a proton is 1836 times the mass of an electron.
Part A
What fraction of the total energy released goes into the kinetic energy of the proton?
Express your answer as a percentage.
ANSWER:
Kp
= 5.44×10−2 %
K tot
Correct
Score Summary:
Your score on this assignment is 101%.
You received 10.14 out of a possible total of 10 points.

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10/27/2019 Chapter 08 Homework Assignment

Chapter 08 Homework Assignment

Center of Mass and External Forces

Similarly, the y coordinate of the center of mass can be expressed.

Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , x1 , and x2 .

to the left of m1 at a distance much greater than x2 − x1

to the left of m1 at a distance much less than x2 − x1

to the right of m1 at a distance much less than x2 − x1

to the right of m2 at a distance much greater than x2 − x1

to the right of m2 at a distance much less than x2 − x1

to the left of m2 at a distance much less than x2 − x1

half-way between m1 and m2

the answer depends on x1 and x2

Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , v 1x , and v 2x .

directed to the left

directed to the right

Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , p1x , and p2x .

none of the above

Express your answer in terms of m1 , m2 , a1x , and a2x .

Express your answer in terms of the x component Fx of the

Hint 1. Using Newton's laws

Express your answer in terms of the x components F12x and

any external forces, (acm )x = 0 and (v cm )x is constant.

A Bullet Is Fired into a Wooden Block

Hint 1. Types of collisions

Hint 1. When is kinetic energy conserved?

Kinetic energy is conserved only in perfectly elastic collisions.

kinetic energy only

kinetic energy and momentum

neither momentum nor kinetic energy

Express your answer in terms of v i , mw , and mb .

Hint 1. Find the momentum after the collision

Hint 2. Use conservation of momentum

A Ball Hits a Wall Elastically

Hint 1. How to approach the problem

Hint 2. Find the y component of the ball's final velocity

Hint 1. How to approach this part

Hint 3. Find the x component of the ball's final velocity

What is v f x , the x component of the ball' final velocity?

Hint 1. How to approach this problem

Hint 4. Putting it together

Hint 1. What physical principle to use

Hint 2. Change in momentum of the ball

Δpx = 2mv i sin(θi )

Express your answer using two significant figures.

Express your answer using two significant figures.

Conservation of Momentum in Inelastic Collisions

the magnitude of the momentum only

the net momentum (considered as a vector) only

the momentum of each object considered individually

Hint 1. How to approach the problem

Hint 1. How to approach the problem

Hint 1. Momentum is a vector

Hint 1. How to approach the problem mathematically

Hint 2. How to approach the problem empirically

Express v in terms of m1 , m2 , and the cars' initial speeds v 1 and v 2 .

Hint 1. Conservation of momentum

Each vector component of linear momentum is conserved separately.

Hint 2. x and y components of momentum

Express the two components, separated by a comma, in terms of m1 , m2 , v 1 and v 2 .

Hint 3. A vector and its components

Hint 4. Velocity and momentum

The magnitudes of the momenta of the cars were equal.