Conservation of linear & angular momentum head on collision

In summary, two cars of different masses and velocities collide offset from each other's center of gravity, causing them to become locked together and spin clockwise. The lateral and longitudinal distances between their centers of gravity are 1.6 ft and 14 ft respectively. To determine the angular velocity of the spinning cars, the conservation of linear and angular momentum must be considered. However, the conversion of linear momentum and kinetic energy into angular momentum is not yet clear. Further guidance or assistance would be appreciated.
  • #1
Ryan Gajdzisz
2
0

Homework Statement


Two cars collide head on but offset from each others center of gravity. After the impact the two cars are locked together as one body. Due to the location of the collision point, the impact causes the two locked cars to spin clockwise.
Car A- traveling west going 10 mph, weighs 3000lb and the radius of gyration for this motion is 3 ft
Car B- traveling east going 15 mph, weighs 35000lb and the radius of gyration is 2.5 ft

The lateral distance between the center of gravity between the two cars is 1.6 ft and the longitudinal distance is 14 ft.
Determine the angular velocity of the 2 cars as they start to spin after the collision

Homework Equations


I know that the linear and angular momentum is conserved and that kinetic energy is not. I am not sure how the linear momentum and kinetic energy is converted into the angular momentum because there is no angular momentum to begin with.
Any help or push in the right direction would help

The Attempt at a Solution


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  • #2
Hello Ryan, :welcome:

In PF your attempt at solution doesn't count: it's a picture of the problem statement. And PF rules/guidelines in fact don't allow to help when the poster doesn't show any own work.
In this case your
Ryan Gajdzisz said:
there is no angular momentum to begin with
is not correct. There is a perpendicular distance between the two momentum vectors, therefore there is angular momentum !
 
  • #3
sorry I messed up when I was attaching my work here is what I did so far
 

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1. What is the law of conservation of linear momentum?

The law of conservation of linear momentum states that in a closed system, the total momentum before a collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This means that the total amount of momentum in a system remains constant, even if there is a collision.

2. How does the conservation of linear momentum apply to a head-on collision?

In a head-on collision, the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. This is because the total momentum in the system is conserved, regardless of the direction of the collision. Therefore, the total momentum of the objects involved in the collision will be the same before and after the collision.

3. What is the difference between linear and angular momentum?

Linear momentum refers to the motion of an object in a straight line, while angular momentum refers to the motion of an object around an axis. Linear momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, while angular momentum is a vector quantity that also takes into account the rotational direction of the object.

4. Can the conservation of momentum be applied to all types of collisions?

Yes, the law of conservation of momentum applies to all types of collisions, including head-on collisions. This is because the total amount of momentum in a system remains constant, regardless of the type of collision or the direction of the objects involved.

5. How is the conservation of angular momentum related to the conservation of linear momentum in a head-on collision?

The conservation of angular momentum is a consequence of the conservation of linear momentum in a head-on collision. This means that if the total linear momentum is conserved in a collision, the total angular momentum will also be conserved. This is because linear and angular momentum are interconnected and cannot be changed without affecting the other.

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