- #1
Idioticsmartie
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Homework Statement
Let us say there are 2 billion people with an average mass of 50 kg. They all climb ladders which are 1 meter tall. At a particular instant they all jump off nd land on the ground simultaneously. This is an inelastic collision with the Earth. Assume the Earth does not move prior to the collision
Homework Equations
0.5m[tex]_{a}[/tex]v[tex]^{2}_{a}[/tex] + 0.5m[tex]_{b}[/tex]v[tex]^{2}_{b}[/tex] = 0.5m[tex]_{a}[/tex]v[tex]^{'2}_{a}[/tex] + 0.5m[tex]_{b}[/tex]v[tex]^{'2}_{b}[/tex]
v[tex]^{2}[/tex] = v[tex]^{2}_{0}[/tex] + 2a(x-x[tex]_{0}[/tex])
The Attempt at a Solution
I think I can solve this, I'm just confused about whether or not the initial velocity for the people is 0 (before they all jump) or if it's 4.29 m/s (their speed just before they collide with the earth)
Or would it work either way?