Two sleds, as shown in the figure are each being pulled by a team of pack animal

Question

Two sleds, as shown in the figure are each being pulled by a team of pack animals, of identical athletic ability, both pulling at maximum voluntary force. At time t = 0, they are travelling at the same velocity. Each sled is carrying a hydraulic ram. The ram and the sled each can be modeled as particles, and thus comprise a system of particles. Suddenly, the hydraulic ram on one of the sleds (B) experiences a valve failure, which not only disables the brakes, but causes the ram to exert a large force on the front of the sled. This causes the ram to careen backwards as shown by the gray images in the figure. The other sled-ram system (A) is unaffected. After a few milliseconds have elapsed: Is the velocity of the center of mass of the system the same or different between A and B? Explain. Is the kinetic energy of the system the same between A and B? Explain. Is the total momentum of the system the same between A and B? Explain.

Explanation / Answer

Solution:

a) Since the failure of valve and the force on ram is internal the center of mass does not change.

b) The kinetic energy of the system is also the same between A and B.

c) The total momentum between A and B is the same since momentum is conserved.Momentum is conserved when no external force acts on the system.

Here the failure of the valve and the force it exerts are all internal to the system.

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