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A man of mass m is stationary on a stationary flat car. The car can move without friction along horizontal rails. The man starts walking with velocity v relative to the car, work done by him
A man of mass m is stationary on a stationary flat car. The car can move without friction along horizontal rails. The man starts walking with velocity v relative to the car, work done by him

Options

A.is less than mv2 if he walks along the rails
B.is equal to mv2 if he walks normal to the rails
C.can never be less than mv2
D.is greater than mv2 if he walks along the rails  

Solution

If the man walks along the rails, some velocity say V is imparted to car also. Let M be the mass of car. Then from conservation of linear momentum. 
M.V = m(v – V)
∴    V =
∴    work done by man
= m (v − V)2 + mV2
= v2 < mv2 
Hence, option (A) is correct. If the man moves normal to the rails then car will not move. Hence, work done by him in the case will bemv2 and option (B) is also correct. 
Mathod II
Man of the mass m initially at rest on the statianary car of mass M. Now man starts walking (Let parallel to the rail)  then car moves with vC
    Working from the graund 
MVC = m(v − VC)  ⇒  VC = velocity of the car towards Left hand side

Work done by the man = (ᐃK)man + (ᐃK)car 
= m (V − VC)2 + MV2C
= m + MV2C
= (M + m) V2
= < MV2            

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