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Deck of Cards
idbigdeck
Card
labelPart A

Image Added

Imagine that you have an indestructible boxcar sitting on frictionless railroad track. The boxcar has length L, height H, and width W. It has N cannonballs of radius R and mass M stacked up against one end. If I move the cannonballs in any fashion – slowly carrying them, rolling them, firing them out of a cannon – what is the furthest I can move the boxcar along the rails? Which method should I use to move the boxcar the furthest? Assume that the inside walls are perfectly absorbing, so that collisions are perfectly inelastic.

Part A

Solution One

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idsysa
System:
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idsysa

Boxcar and cannonballs as point particles.

Toggle Cloak
idinta
Interactions:
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idinta

Not Important in this part.

Toggle Cloak
idmoda
Model:
Cloak
idmoda

.

Toggle Cloak
idappa
Approach:

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idappa

Toggle Cloak
iddiaga
Diagrammatic Representation

Cloak
iddiaga

Image Added

Image Added

The system consists of the Boxcar on rails and the Cannonballs, plus whatever devices we use for propulsion inside.There are thus no external influences

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diaga
diaga

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idmatha
Mathematical Representation

Cloak
idmatha

Since there are no external influences, which includes forces, the Center of Mass of the system is not affected, and by the Law of Conservation of Momentum must remain fixed. Assume that each Cannonball weighs mi and that there are N of them, totalling Mi.

Latex
Wiki Markup


|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 01.PNG!|


Imagine that you have an indestructible boxcar sitting on frictionless railroad track. The boxcar has length *L*, height *H*, and width *W*. It has *N* cannonballs of radius *R* and mass *M* stacked up against one end. If I move the cannonballs in any fashion -- slowly carrying them, rolling them, firing them out of a cannon -- what is the furthest I can move the boxcar along the rails? Which method should I use to move the boxcar the furthest? Assume that the inside walls are perfectly absorbing, so that collisions are perfectly inelastic.

h2. Part A


h4. Solution One

{toggle-cloak:id=sysa} *System:*  {cloak:id=sysa}Boxcar and cannonballs as [point particles|point particle].{cloak}

{toggle-cloak:id=inta} *Interactions:* {cloak:id=inta} Not Important in this part.{cloak}

{toggle-cloak:id=moda} *Model:*  {cloak:id=moda}[Point Particle Dynamics].{cloak}

{toggle-cloak:id=appa} *Approach:*  

{cloak:id=appa}

{toggle-cloak:id=diaga} {color:red} *Diagrammatic Representation* {color}

{cloak:id=diaga}


|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 02.PNG!|
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 03.PNG!|

The system consists of the Boxcar on rails and the Cannonballs, plus whatever devices we use for propulsion inside.There are thus no external influences

{cloak:diaga}

{toggle-cloak:id=matha} {color:red} *Mathematical Representation* {color}
{cloak:id=matha}

Since there are no external influences, which includes forces, the [Center of Mass] of the system is not affected, and by the Law of Conservation of [Momentum] must remain fixed. Assume that each Cannonball weighs {*}m{~}i{~}{*} and that there are *N* of them, totalling {*}M{~}i{~}{*}. 

{latex}\begin{large}\[\ M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar, initial} + \sum m_{i} x_{i, initial} = M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar, final} + \sum m_{i} x_{i, final}  \]\end{large}{latex}

Here {*}x{~}i{~}{*}  is the position of the center of the 

Here xi is the position of the center of the *i*th

cannonball

and

{*}

x

{~}

Boxcar

{~}{*}

is

the

position

of

the

center

of

the

boxcar.

The

subscripts

*

initial

*

and

*

final

*

indicate

the

positions

at

the

start

and

the

end

of

our

operation.

Re-arranging,

we

get

that

the

final

boxcar

position

is:

{
Latex
}\begin{large}\[ x_{Boxcar, final} = x_{Boxcar, initial} + \frac{\sum{m_{i} x_{i, initial}} - \sum{m_{i} x_{i, final}}}{M_{Boxcar}} \]\end{large}{


Latex
\}
\\
{latex}\begin{large}\[ x_{Boxcar, final} = x_{Boxcar, initial} - \frac{M_{i}}{M_{Boxcar}} ( \sum{x_{i, final}} - \sum{x_{i, initial}}) \]\end{large}


The location of the Center of Mass <x> is given by:

Latex
{latex}
\\
The location of the Center of Mass *<x>* is given by:

{latex}\begin{large}\[ < x >  =  \frac{M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar,initial} + \sum{m_{i}x_{i,initial}}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{i}} \]\end{large}{latex}
\\
If we define the center of mass as the *zero* position, then {*}<x> = 0{*} and we have
\\
{latex}


If we define the center of mass as the zero position, then <x> = 0 and we have

Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{i,initial} = -x_{Boxcar,initial} \frac{M_{Boxcar}}{M_{i}}\]\end{large}{latex}
\\


Let's

assume

the

Boxcar

location

is

at

its

center

of

mass,

in

the

middle

of

the

Boxcar.

The

location

of

the

Cannonballs

relative

to

*

<x>

*

is

given

by

Latex
 

{latex}\begin{large}\[ x_{i,initial} = x_{Boxcar,initial} - \frac{L}{2} + R \]\end{large}{latex} 
\\
Inserting the previous expression into this gives

{latex}


Inserting the previous expression into this gives

Latex
\begin{large}\[ < x > = \frac{M_{Boxcar} + \sum{M_{i}(x_{Boxcar,initial} - \frac{L}{2} + R)}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{i}} \]\end{large}{latex}
\\


Re-arranging

this

yields:

{
Latex
}\begin{large}\[ < x > = \frac{(M_{Boxcar} + M_{i})x_{Boxcar,initial} - M_{i} (\frac{L}{2} - R)}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{i}} \]\end{large}{latex}

Solving

for

the

initial

boxcar

position

yields

{
Latex
}\begin{large} \[ x_{Boxcar,initial} =  < x >  + \frac{M_{i}}{M_{Boxcar,initial} + M_{i}}\frac{(L - 2 R)}{2} \]\end{large}{latex}
\\
One can


One can in a similar way solve for the position of the Boxcar in its final position, assuming that the cannonballs are all moved from as close to one side to as close to the other side as possible. The steps are the same, with the final result:

Latex
 in a similar way solve for the position of the Boxcar in its final position, assuming that the cannonballs are all moved from as close to one side to as close to the other side as possible. The steps are the same, with the final result:
\\
{latex}\begin{large} \[ x_{Boxcar,finalal} =  < x >  - \frac{M_{i}}{M_{Boxcar,initial} + M_{i}}\frac{(L - 2 R)}{2} \]\end{large}{latex}
\\

Subtracting the Final position of the Boxcar from its Initial Position yields the total movement of the car:

{latex}


Subtracting the Final position of the Boxcar from its Initial Position yields the total movement of the car:

Latex
\begin{large} \[ x_{Boxcar, initial} - x_{Boxcar, final} = \frac{M_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{i}} ( L - 2 R ) \]\end{large}{latex}
\\
In the limit that the sum of the cannonballs weights are much less than that of the boxcar, the car is moved only negligibly by moving the cannonballs from one end to the other. In the limit that the cannonballs weigh much more than the Boxcar, the boxcar shifts by its own length minus the diameter of the cannonballs. For any other relative mass of the cannonballs to that of the boxcar, the result is between these two results, but it's seen that the maximum distance the car can be moved is its own length minus the size of the cannonballs. 
{cloak:matha}
{cloak:appa}


In the limit that the sum of the cannonballs weights are much less than that of the boxcar, the car is moved only negligibly by moving the cannonballs from one end to the other. In the limit that the cannonballs weigh much more than the Boxcar, the boxcar shifts by its own length minus the diameter of the cannonballs. For any other relative mass of the cannonballs to that of the boxcar, the result is between these two results, but it's seen that the maximum distance the car can be moved is its own length minus the size of the cannonballs.

Cloak
matha
matha

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appa
appa

h2.

Part

B

Now

consider

the

intermediate

stages

as

the

cannonballs

are

moved

slowly,

one

by

one,

from

one

side

to

the

other.

How

does

the

car

move

as

each

ball

is

shifted?

h4. Solution {

Solution

Card
labelPart B
Wiki Markup
Toggle Cloak

:

id

=

sysb

} *

System:

* {

Cloak

:

id

=

sysb

}

Boxcar

and

cannonballs

as

[

point

particles

|point particle].{cloak} {

.

Toggle Cloak

:

id

=

intb

} *

Interactions:

* {

Cloak

:

id

=

intb

}

None.

{cloak} {

Toggle Cloak

:

id

=

modb

} *

Model:

* {cloak:id=modb}[Point Particle Dynamics].{cloak} {

Cloak
idmodb

.

Toggle Cloak

:

id

=

appb

} *

Approach:

* {cloak:id=appb} {

Cloak
idappb

Toggle Cloak

:

iddiagb
Diagrammatic Representation

Cloak
iddiagb

Image Added

Image Added

Image Added

Image Added

Image Added

Image Added

Image Added

Cloak
diagb
diagb

Toggle Cloak
idmathb
Mathematical Representation

Cloak
idmathb

We calculate the Center of Mass as each Cannonball is shifted from one side to the other. Assume that each ball moves from as close to one side of the boxcar to as far one the other side as it can go.

The location of the Center of Mass <x> after Q cannonballs out of a total of N have been moved is given by:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ < x >  =  \frac{M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar,Q} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = 0}^{Q}{m_{i}x_{i,j}} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = Q + 1}^{N}{m_{i}x_{i,j}}}{M_{Boxcar} + \sum{m_{i}}} \]\end{large}


Latex
\begin{large}\[ < x >  =  \frac{M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar,Q} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = 0}^{Q}{m_{i}x_{i,j}} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = Q + 1}^{N}{m_{i}x_{i,j}}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} \]\end{large}


The center of mass position, < x >, is the fixed point, since there are no external forces on the masses being considered. To simplify the expression, we relate all the cannonball positions to those of the boxcar. This enables us to put everything in terms of a single variable. Let us call the position of the center of the boxcar when Q cannonballs have been moved from one end to the other xBoxcar, Q. The Cannonballs that have not been moved are at one end of the boxcar, a distance L/2 - R to the left of the boxcar center, while the Q that have been moved are at xBoxcar,Q - (L/2) + R. The equation for the location of the Center of Mass this becomes:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ < x >  =   \frac{M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar, Q}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}}   +   Q \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (x_{Boxcar,Q}  +  \frac{L}{2} -  R )  +  ( N - Q ) \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (x_{Boxcar, Q}  -  \frac{L}{2}  +  R ) \]\end{large}


This can be further re-arranged and condensed to give:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ < x > = x_{Boxcar,Q} + \frac{m_{i=diagb} {color:red} *Diagrammatic Representation* {color}

{cloak:id=diagb}

 
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 02.PNG!|
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 04.PNG!|
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 05.PNG!|
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 06.PNG!|
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 07.PNG!|
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 08.PNG!|
|!Boxcar and Cannonballs 03.PNG!|


{cloak:diagb}

{toggle-cloak:id=mathb} {color:red} *Mathematical Representation* {color}

{cloak:id=mathb}

We calculate the Center of Mass as each Cannonball is shifted from one side to the other. Assume that each ball moves from as close to one side of the boxcar to as far one the other side as it can go.


The location of the Center of Mass *<x>* after *Q* cannonballs out of a total of N  have been moved is given by:

{latex}\begin{large}\[ < x >  =  \frac{M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar,Q} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = 0}^{Q}{m_{i}x_{i,j}} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = Q + 1}^{N}{m_{i}x_{i,j}}}{M_{Boxcar} + \sum{m_{i}}} \]\end{large}{latex}
\\
{latex}\begin{large}\[ < x >  =  \frac{M_{Boxcar} x_{Boxcar,Q} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = 0}^{Q}{m_{i}x_{i,j}} + \displaystyle\sum_{j = Q + 1}^{N}{m_{i}x_{i,j}}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (2Q - N) (\]\endfrac{largeL}{latex}

\\
The center of mass position, {*}< x > {*}, is the fixed point, since there are no external forces on the masses being considered. To simplify the expression, we relate all the cannonball positions to those of the boxcar. This enables us to put everything in terms of a single variable. Let us call the position of the center of the boxcar when *Q* cannonballs have been moved from one end to the other {*}x{~}Boxcar, Q{~}{*}. The Cannonballs that have not been moved are at one end of the boxcar, a distance {*}L/2 - R{*} to the left of the boxcar center, while the *Q* that have been moved are at {*}x{~}Boxcar,Q{~} - (L/2) + R{*}. The equation for the location of the Center of Mass this becomes:
\\
{latex}\begin{large}\[ < x >  =  - \frac{M_{Boxcar}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}}   +   Q \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (x_{Boxcar,Q}  +  \frac{L}{2} -  R )  +  ( N - Q ) \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (x_{Boxcar, Q}  -  \frac{L}{2}  +  R ) \]\end{large}{latex}
\\
Re-arranging terms yields: 

{latex}\begin{large}\[ < x > = x_{Boxcar,Q} \frac{(M_{Boxcar} +  Q m_{i} + (N - Q ) m_{i})}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} + \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}}(Q \frac{L}{2} - QR - N \frac{L}{2} + Q \frac{L}{2} + NR - QR )   \]\end{large}{latex} 

\\
Inserting the previous expression into this gives

{latex}\begin{large}\[ < x > = \frac{M_{Boxcar} + \sum{m_{i}(x_{Boxcar,initial} - \frac{L}{2} + R)}}{M_{Boxcar} + \sum{m_{i}}} \]\end{large}{latex}
\\
Re-arranging this yields:

{latex}\begin{large}\[ < x > = \frac{(M_{Boxcar} + \sum{m_{i}})x_{Boxcar,initial} - m_{i} (\frac{L}{2} - R)}{M_{Boxcar} + \sum{m_{i}}} \]\end{large}{latex}

Solving for the initial boxcar position yields

{latex}\begin{large} \[ x_{Boxcar,initial} =  < x >  + \frac{\sum{M_{i}}}{M_{Boxcar,initial} + \sum{M_{i}}}\frac{(L - 2 R)}{2} \]\end{large}{latex}



{cloak:mathb}

{cloak:appb}

2} - R )   \]\end{large}


Solving for xBoxcar,Q

Latex
\begin{large}\[  x_{Boxcar,Q} = < x > +  \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (N - 2Q) (\frac{L}{2} - R ) \]\end{large}


Latex
\begin{large}\[  x_{Boxcar,Q} = < x > +  \frac{M_{Cannonballs}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (\frac{L}{2} - R ) - 2Q \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (\frac{L}{2} - R ) \]\end{large}


For Q = 0 we have

Latex
\begin{large}\[  x_{Boxcar,Q} = < x > +  \frac{M_{Cannonballs}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (\frac{L}{2} - R ) \]\end{large}

In the limit that MCannonballs >> MBoxcar this becomes

Latex
\begin{large}\[  x_{Boxcar,Q} = < x > +  (\frac{L}{2} - R ) \]\end{large}


Similarly, for Q = N we have, in the same limit,

Latex
\begin{large}\[  x_{Boxcar,Q} = < x > -  (\frac{L}{2} - R ) \]\end{large}


These are the same results as in Part A, and once again the most that the Boxcar can move is L, and then only in the limit as R goes to zero. With the formulae developed in this part, however, we can see how much the boxcar moves as each cannonball is moved from one side to the other. Note that the center of the boxcar can only coincide with the overall center of mass if N is an even number, and half the cannonballs are moved from one side to the other.

Cloak
mathb
mathb

Cloak
appb
appb

Card
labelPart C

Part C

Image Added

Now imagine that the cannonballs are fired from one end to the other, one by one. What are the equations of motion during and after, and how does the car move along?

Solution

Toggle Cloak
idsysc
System:
Cloak
idsysc

Boxcar and cannonballs as point particles.

Toggle Cloak
idintc
Interactions:
Cloak
idintc

Conservation of Momentum and equal and opposite forces.

Toggle Cloak
idmodc
Model:
Cloak
idmodc

.

Toggle Cloak
idappc
Approach:

Cloak
idappc

Toggle Cloak
iddiagc
Diagrammatic Representation

Cloak
iddiagc

Cloak
diagc
diagc

Toggle Cloak
idmathc
Mathematical Representation

Cloak
idmathc

Let's assume that we launch, throw, roll, or fire the cannonballs one at time from one end of the Boxcar to the other, and that the other Cannonballs are held rigidly in place in the Boxcar, so that they move with it. Let;s further assume that when the cannonball reaches the other side it sticks in place on the other side, coming instantly to rest (and doing no damage).

We write the equations of motion for the boxcar (with the rest of the cannonballs) and the one fired cannonball. Let us call the velocity of the velocity of the cannoball vi and the velocity of the Boxcar (with the remaining cannonballs) vBoxcar. Assuming Conservation of Momentum we have:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ m_{i} v_{i} = - (M_{Boxcar} + (N - 1) m_{i}) v_{Boxcar}\]\end{large}


Latex
\begin{large}\[ v_{Boxcar} = - \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + (N - 1) m_{i}}  v_{i} \]\end{large}


So we can write the equations of motion for both the Boxcar (and Cannonballs) and the lone cannonball:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{cannonball}(t) = x_{cannonball, initial} + v_{i}t  \]\end{large}


Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{Boxcar}(t) = x_{Boxcar, initial} + v_{Boxcar}t  \]\end{large}


We can substitute for the Boxcar Velocity to get:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{Boxcar}(t) = x_{Boxcar, initial} - v_{i}\frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + (N - 1)m_{i}}t  \]\end{large}


The Cannonball will stop when it strikes the far wall of the Boxcar at time tfinal. At this point the cannonball will have traveled, relative to the Boxcar, a distance L - 2R. But the Boxcar will have moved, as well. The relevant expression relating the distances is thus:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{cannonball}(t_{final}) - x_{Boxcar}(t_{final})  = L - 2R  \]\end{large}


Substituting in the above equations and re-arranging, we get:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{cannonball,initial} - x_{Boxcar, initial} + v_{i}( 1 + \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + (N - 1)m_{i}})t_{final} = L - 2R  \]\end{large}


But we can see that the difference between the initial position of the cannonball and the initial position of the boxcar is just half the car length, minus the cannonball radius:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{cannonball,initial} - x_{Boxcar,initial} = \frac{L}{2} - R \]\end{large}


Solving for tfinal, we get:

Latex
\begin{large}\[ t_{final} = \frac{(\frac{L}{2} - R)}{v_{i}} \frac{M_{Boxcar} + (N - 1) m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} \]\end{large}


Inserting this into the above expressions for xBoxcar(tf) and xcannonball(tf) we get

Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{Boxcar}(t_{f}) = x_{Boxcar, initial} - \frac{m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (\frac{L}{2} - R )  \]\end{large}


Latex
\begin{large}\[ x_{cannonball}(t_{f}) = x_{cannonball, initial} + \frac{M_{Boxcar} + (N - 1)m_{i}}{M_{Boxcar} + M_{Cannonballs}} (\frac{L}{2} - R )  \]\end{large}


Cloak
mathc
mathc

Cloak
appc
appc
Card
labelPart C
h2. Part C !thatnormal3.jpg|width=500! Now imagine that the cannonballs are fired from one end to the other, one by one. What are the equations of motion during and after, and how does the car move along? h4. Solution {toggle-cloak:id=sysc} *System:* {cloak:id=sysc}Boxcar and cannonballs as [point particles|point particle].{cloak} {toggle-cloak:id=intc} *Interactions:* {cloak:id=intc}Conservation of Momentum and equal and opposite forces.{cloak} {toggle-cloak:id=modc} *Model:* {cloak:id=modc}[Point Particle Dynamics].{cloak} {toggle-cloak:id=appc} *Approach:* {cloak:id=appc} {toggle-cloak:id=diagc} {color:red} *Diagrammatic Representation* {color} {cloak:id=diagc} {cloak:diagc} {toggle-cloak:id=mathc} {color:red} *Mathematical Representation* {color} {cloak:id=mathc} We write the equations of motion for the boxcar (with the rest of the cannonballs) and the one fired cannonball. {latex}\begin{large}\[\sum F_{x} = F_{A}\cos\theta = ma_{x}\] \[ \sum F_{y} = F_{A}\sin\theta - mg - N = ma_{y}\]\end{large}{latex} {latex}\begin{large}\[ F_{A}\sin\theta - mg - N = 0 \]\end{large}{latex} {latex}\begin{large}\[ N = F_{A}\sin\theta - mg = \mbox{52 N}\]\end{large}{latex} {cloak:mathc} {cloak:appc}
Wiki Markup