- #1
Lookaash
- 5
- 0
Homework Statement
Place a pencil on the edge of a table and I hit it. How shall it fly? When will it fly the highest distance?
Homework Equations
Definetely F=m*a and for the flight x = 1/2 a t^2
The Attempt at a Solution
Well there are several hidden factors that are making the problem difficult. One is that when I hit the pencil, I continue on my path, so it is just not an impulse. Another is the width of the table - the pencil jumps of it.
Basically, the only thing I know for sure is that if I place the pencil on a table that has no width and in a way that the center of mass is directly above edge of the table, then if I hit it very near of the center of gravity, it will just rotate and will not fly at all.
I know that the length of the flight depends on how far is the center of mass from the edge of the table and also on where and how I hit it. Hitting it further from the center of mass should give it bigger impulse, but I think it turns into more rotation and not so much into tangential velocity. But on the other hand hitting it nearly the center of mass gives it greater rotation too, because the hitting object will change the pencil's angle more quickly. I am getting really confused... Is there anyone who can help me?