Askiitians Tutor Team
Last Activity: 4 Months ago
To solve the problem of two identical blocks of ice colliding and melting after coming to a stop, we need to apply the principles of conservation of momentum and energy. Let's break this down step by step.
Understanding the Collision
When the two blocks of ice collide, they stick together and come to a stop. The initial kinetic energy of the blocks is transformed into heat energy due to the collision. This heat energy is what will cause the ice to melt.
Conservation of Momentum
Since the blocks are identical and moving in opposite directions with equal velocity, the total momentum before the collision is:
- Momentum of Block 1: \( m \cdot v \)
- Momentum of Block 2: \( -m \cdot v \)
The total momentum before the collision is:
Total Momentum = mv + (-mv) = 0
After the collision, since they stick together and stop, the total momentum is also 0, which is consistent with the conservation of momentum.
Kinetic Energy Before Collision
The kinetic energy (KE) of each block before the collision is given by:
KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2
Since there are two blocks, the total kinetic energy before the collision is:
Total KE = 2 \cdot \frac{1}{2} mv^2 = mv^2
Heat Required to Melt the Ice
To find the minimum velocity \( v \) required for the blocks to completely melt after the collision, we need to calculate the heat energy required to melt the ice. The heat required to convert 1 kg of ice at 0°C to water at the same temperature is given as:
Q = 3.3 \times 10^5 \, \text{J/kg}
Assuming each block has a mass \( m \), the total heat required to melt both blocks is:
Total Heat Required = 2 \cdot Q = 2 \cdot 3.3 \times 10^5 \, \text{J} = 6.6 \times 10^5 \, \text{J}
Setting Kinetic Energy Equal to Heat Energy
For the blocks to completely melt, the kinetic energy converted into heat must equal the heat required to melt the ice:
mv^2 = 6.6 \times 10^5
Solving for Velocity
Now, we can solve for \( v \):
v^2 = \frac{6.6 \times 10^5}{m}
v = \sqrt{\frac{6.6 \times 10^5}{m}}
Conclusion
The minimum value of \( v \) depends on the mass \( m \) of each block of ice. If you know the mass of the ice blocks, you can substitute that value into the equation to find the minimum velocity required for the blocks to completely melt after the collision. This approach illustrates the interplay between kinetic energy and thermal energy in a collision scenario.