13) A man is located inside an enclosed wagon with wheels (negligible friction).

Question

13) A man is located inside an enclosed wagon with wheels (negligible friction). Inside of the wagon there is a stack of baseballs, so he decides to throw them against the wall, towards the right, in an attempt to propel the wagon. The balls do not leave the wagon. We can predict that: a) b) c) The wagon may wiggle slightly but will not move significantly The wagon will be propelled towards the right The wagon will be propelled towards the left 14) The man from the previous problem now decides to open up the door on the left side of the wagon so that the balls that bounce off the wall on the right can now escape on the left. We can predict that: a) b) c) The wagon may wiggle slightly but will not move significantly The wagon will be propelled towards the right The wagon will be propelled towards the left

Explanation / Answer

13)

a)

the wagon may wiggle slightly but will not move significantly.

the ball moves in right direction so has momentum in right direction. the ball hits the wagon and the wagon gains momentum in right direction to move . but the ball reflects from the right side and move in left direction to hit the wagon on left and hence cancel out the momentum of wagon in right direction.

14)

b)

the wagon will be propelled towards right.

the ball moves in right direction so has momentum in right direction. the ball hits the wagon and the wagon gains momentum in right direction to move . the ball gets reflected from the right side leaves the wagon from left .

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