Question

In this problem, consider Tom and Jerry in space and throwing a ball back and forth. Initially, they are at rest with respect to each other and are separated by a distance L0. For simplicity assume that they have the same mass, and that they both always throw the ball with the same speed V.

1. a) If they are in ”open space” (no walls or ropes) what happens?

   1. i) To answer this, continue drawing a sequence of sketches below showing the motion

      of: Tom and the ball after his toss #1, Jerry and the ball after his catch #1, Jerry and the ball after his toss #1, Tom and the ball after his catch #1. In each sketch, it is important to indicate their relative positions and the direction of motion by arrows.

   2. ii) Then extrapolate, and state in one sentence what happens as they continue to play, say for ten or twenty tosses. Assume that they do not get tired!

2. b) Now Tom and Jerry are inside a spaceship. Let’s say they are in a box shaped room, and are each strapped to opposite walls. As they toss the ball back and forth, what happens to the box? Again draw a series of diagrams and indicate the position of the box and the motion of the box with arrows.

Answer 1

Sorry for he low light images. But the answer is correct. Hope it helps!!