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8.012 Physics I: Classical Mechanics
Fall 2008
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MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Physics
Physics 8.012: Physics (Mechanics) I Fall Term 2008
PROBLEM SET 4
Collaboration policy: You are encouraged to freely discuss homework problems with other 8.012
students and teaching staff. However, you must write up your solutions completely on your
own—do not simply copy solutions from other students. You are forbidden from consulting
solutions from previous years or from the web. Violations of this policy may result in
disciplinary action.
Reading: Kleppner & Kolenkow, Chapters 3 & 4
0. Collaboration and discussion. Please list the names of all the students with whom you
discussed these homework problems.
1. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.7 [10 points]
2. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.11 [10 points]
3. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.13 [10 points]
4. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.14 [10 points]
5. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.15 [10 points]
6. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.16 [5 points]
7. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.18 [10 points]
8. Kleppner & Kolenkow, Problem 3.20 [10 points]
Continued on next page...
9. The super-astro-blaster. [15 points]
In class we demonstrated how the astroblaster (a set of elastic bouncing balls released from
rest and rebounding from the floor) can launch the smallest and topmost ball to considerable
distance. Let’s push this to the test. Assume we have n balls of mass (left figure above)
m1 , m2 , m3 , ..., mn where m1 >> m2 >> m3 >> ... > mn . The most massive ball is at
bottom and starts at rest at a height H = 1 meter above the ground. Assume that all balls
bounce elastically, that constant gravitational acceleration �g points downward, and that air
resistance and realistic limits in the elasticity of the balls can be ignored.
(a) (10 points) In terms of n, to what height does the top ball bounce? How many balls do
you need to reach 1 kilometer?
(b) (5 points) How many balls do you need to achieve escape velocity? You will need to
determine an expression for escape velocity from the Earth, which is possible (to within
an order of magnitude) through dimensional analysis.
10. A falling chain. [10 points]
You hold a chain of mass M, length L and uniform mass density λ from one end above a fixed
table (right figure above). The chain falls under constant gravitational acceleration. Ignore
any swinging or bouncing in the chain and assume that it moves purely in a vertical direction
until it comes to rest hanging straight down below the table.
(10 points) What is the support force from the table, FS , as a function of time after the chain
is released?
