The Underscore Archives

Hi Tom

On 12/1/06, Tom Gidden <tom at gidden.net> wrote:

> http://gidden.net/junk/moment1.pdf
>
> The shape ABCD is of uniform density and mass m, with the centre of
> gravity G.  It is free to move, as if on an air hockey table, but is
> currently stationary.
>
> An object has just hit the shape at point P.
>
> How do A, B, C and D move (quantitatively) as a result of the
> impact?  Specifically, I need to know how to calculate the positions
> of A, B, C and D at time t+1.


This is going back 20+ years. It is all conservation of momentum and
rotational mechanics.
You need to split the momentum of the object into two.

One acts in a straight line thought the center G in the same direction
and parallel to the Force F,and the second part into rotational
momentum around the center.

As for calculation it. err sorry no chance, my memory is not that good.

-- 
David