0
   

Physics reference frames

Forums: Science, Physics, Homework
Email this Topic • Print this Page
 
 
troy132
 
Reply Thu 22 Oct, 2015 10:53 am
A student runs an experiment with two carts on a low-friction track. As measured in the Earth reference frame, cart 1 (m = 0.57 kg ) moves from left to right at 1.0 m/s as the student walks along next to it at the same velocity. Let the +x direction be to the right.

a)What velocity v⃗ E2,i in the Earth reference frame must cart 2 (m = 0.19 kg ) have before the collision if, in the student's reference frame, cart 2 comes to rest right after the collision and cart 1 travels from right to left at 0.33 m/s?

b)What does a person standing in the Earth reference frame measure for the momentum of each cart before the collision?

  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Question • Score: 0 • Views: 1,584 • Replies: 5
No top replies

 
maxdancona
 
  1  
Reply Thu 22 Oct, 2015 10:59 am
@troy132,
This is a homework problem... I don't like to do homework unless I am getting a grade. But I will help.

Let's start with this question. What is the difference between the Earth Reference Frame and the student's reference frame?
troy132
 
  1  
Reply Thu 22 Oct, 2015 11:02 am
@maxdancona,
The student is moving with the cart where as the earth is stationary to the cart
maxdancona
 
  1  
Reply Thu 22 Oct, 2015 12:39 pm
@troy132,
Quote:
The student is moving with the cart where as the earth is stationary to the cart


This statement is from the Earth reference frame.

Let's imagine God (or a deity of your choice) is holding the cart still.... and the whole Earth is moving backwards (which is why it appears to you that the cart is moving forward).

In this case is the student moving or not?
troy132
 
  1  
Reply Thu 22 Oct, 2015 02:59 pm
@maxdancona,
no it would appear that the student is stationary
maxdancona
 
  1  
Reply Thu 22 Oct, 2015 04:37 pm
@troy132,
Ok good. So that is the Car 1 Frame of reference. The earth is moving backwards and the student isn't moving.

So how do we convert a velocity in the Student's frame to a velocity in the Earth Frame?

I think what I would do is convert all of the velocities from part to (i.e. "cart 2 at rest and cart 1 traveling from right to left at 0.33 m/s) from the Student's frame to the Earth's frame?

Do you want to give that a shot? I will tell you if you are correct or not.

After that you can use conservation of momentum to solve everything in the Earth's frame of reference.
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

U.S. Lags World in Grasp of Genetics and Acceptance of Evolution - Discussion by Robert Gentel
Intelligent Design Theory: Science or Religion? - Discussion by wandeljw
New Propulsion, the "EM Drive" - Question by TomTomBinks
New species of hominid discovered - Question by FBM
The Science Thread - Discussion by Wilso
Why do people deny evolution? - Question by JimmyJ
Are we alone in the universe? - Discussion by Jpsy
Fake Science Journals - Discussion by rosborne979
More (much more) dinosaur soft tissue turning up - Discussion by gungasnake
Must Scientific Knowledge Be Considered Relative? - Discussion by wandeljw
Controvertial "Proof" of Multiverse! - Discussion by littlek
 
  1. Forums
  2. » Physics reference frames
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.05 seconds on 04/24/2024 at 10:52:12
▲ ▼