Two gliders are on a frictionless, level air track. Initially. glider A moves toward the right and glider B is at rest. After the collision, glider A has reversed direction and moves toward the left. The combined system of both gliders is denoted as

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Conservation of momentum

### Problem Description

Two gliders are on a frictionless, level air track. Initially, glider A moves toward the right and glider B is at rest. After the collision, glider A has reversed direction and moves toward the left. The combined system of both gliders is denoted as system C.

The mass of glider A is one fourth the mass of glider B.

#### Diagram
There is an image showing glider A moving to the right towards glider B, which is stationary. The track is described as frictionless.

**Masses:**
- \( m_A = \frac{1}{4}m_B \)

### Questions

#### a. Initial Velocity of System C
- **Task:** Draw an arrow to represent the direction of the initial velocity (before the collision) of the center of mass of system C. If the initial velocity of the center of mass is zero, state that explicitly. Explain.

  **Explanation:** Consider the velocity and mass of each glider to determine the initial motion of the system's center of mass.

#### b. Change in Velocity
- **Task:** Draw an arrow for each glider to represent the direction of the change in velocity from before to after the collision. Explain how you determined your answer.

  **Explanation:** Understand the nature of the collision and analyze momentum conservation to determine velocity changes for each glider.

- **Question:** Is the magnitude of the change in velocity vector for glider A greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the change in velocity vector for glider B? Explain.

#### c. Final Velocity of System C
- **Task:** Draw an arrow to represent the direction of the final velocity (after the collision) of the center of mass of system C. Explain how you determined your answer.

  **Explanation:** Use the conservation of momentum to analyze the final motion of the center of mass.

#### d. Incorrect Statement Analysis
- **Statement:** "Glider B will move to the right after this collision, but it would move faster if glider A were to come to a stop, giving glider B all its momentum."
  
  **Task:** Describe what is incorrect about this statement and explain how you can tell.

  **Explanation:** Critically examine the principles of momentum transfer and the conditions for maximum velocity transfer in a collision for accuracy in the statement.

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By analyzing the given scenario with concepts like conservation of momentum and understanding motion on a
Transcribed Image Text:### Problem Description Two gliders are on a frictionless, level air track. Initially, glider A moves toward the right and glider B is at rest. After the collision, glider A has reversed direction and moves toward the left. The combined system of both gliders is denoted as system C. The mass of glider A is one fourth the mass of glider B. #### Diagram There is an image showing glider A moving to the right towards glider B, which is stationary. The track is described as frictionless. **Masses:** - \( m_A = \frac{1}{4}m_B \) ### Questions #### a. Initial Velocity of System C - **Task:** Draw an arrow to represent the direction of the initial velocity (before the collision) of the center of mass of system C. If the initial velocity of the center of mass is zero, state that explicitly. Explain. **Explanation:** Consider the velocity and mass of each glider to determine the initial motion of the system's center of mass. #### b. Change in Velocity - **Task:** Draw an arrow for each glider to represent the direction of the change in velocity from before to after the collision. Explain how you determined your answer. **Explanation:** Understand the nature of the collision and analyze momentum conservation to determine velocity changes for each glider. - **Question:** Is the magnitude of the change in velocity vector for glider A greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the change in velocity vector for glider B? Explain. #### c. Final Velocity of System C - **Task:** Draw an arrow to represent the direction of the final velocity (after the collision) of the center of mass of system C. Explain how you determined your answer. **Explanation:** Use the conservation of momentum to analyze the final motion of the center of mass. #### d. Incorrect Statement Analysis - **Statement:** "Glider B will move to the right after this collision, but it would move faster if glider A were to come to a stop, giving glider B all its momentum." **Task:** Describe what is incorrect about this statement and explain how you can tell. **Explanation:** Critically examine the principles of momentum transfer and the conditions for maximum velocity transfer in a collision for accuracy in the statement. --- By analyzing the given scenario with concepts like conservation of momentum and understanding motion on a
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