- #1
SeventeenForever
Homework Statement
I saw this problem from a few years ago here on Physics Forum (https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/work-energy-theorem-problem.823990/) and wanted some clarification. Here is the problem:
A curved plate of mass M is placed on the horizontal, frictionless plane as shown. Small puck of mass m is placed at the end of the plate and given an initial horizontal velocity v. How high the puck will shoot up from the plate? Regard radius of curvature to be much smaller than the jump height and consider that the puck leaves the plate vertically.
Homework Equations
K1 + U1 = K2 + U2
mv1 = mv2
K= 0.5mv2
U= mgh
The Attempt at a Solution
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Based on reading the previous post over and over again, here is my understanding of the problem.
The puck is initially sliding across the horizontal portion of the plate with a velocity, vo. As it approaches the launch point, some of its kinetic energy is converted to the kinetic energy of the plate. With respect to the ground, the puck still has kinetic energy, since it is on the moving plate. There is also some kinetic energy present that will launch the puck up in the air.
Energy Conservation from Initial to Launch Point: Kpuck, initial = Kpuck+plate together + Kpuck
Only the kinetic energy of the puck alone (Kpuck) gets converted to gravitational potential energy.
Energy Conservation from Launch Point to Max Height: Kpuck = Umax height
Plugging in the terms:
Energy Conservation from Initial to Launch: 0.5mvo2 = 0.5(m+M)v2puck & plate + 0.5mv2puck alone
Energy Conservation from Launch to Max Height: 0.5mv2puck alone = mgh
To find the unknown variable, vpuck&plate, we need to use conservation of momentum. Since momentum is a vector, it is conserved in each direction. In the horizontal plane, the initial momentum of the puck is conserved as the puck and the plate move together just before launch.
mvo = (m+M)vpuck & plate
I can then solve for vpuck & plate in terms of the known variables, m, M, and vo, and plug this into the Energy Conservation from Initial to Launch Point to find vpuck alone. Then I can use the Energy Conservation from Launch Point to Max Height: Kpuck = Umax height to find the max height and solve the problem.
My biggest questions/lack of understanding is why exactly the plate starts moving. The question (as in the other post) makes no mention of friction. The only thing I can think of is the plate starts moving as the puck is ramping up, but I still haven't quite connected all the dots. Knowing which way the plate moves is also important for the Conservation of Momentum.
Also, kinetic energy isn't a vector. Hence, why is the "horizontal" kinetic energy of the puck (just before the launch point, presumably from its position on the plate, which is moving) not converted to gravitational potential energy. Lastly, if the everything is frictionless, why would the puck even move with plate at the launch point?
Thanks for reading!