Question

A 98kg Florida running back is running to the right at 6 m/s toward the Oklahoma goal line. The running back is hit by a 118kg Oklahoma linebacker running to the left at 4 m/s. (a) What is the momentum of each player? (b) What is the net momentum of the two players after the collision? (c) If the two players entangle and continue traveling as a single unit following the collision, what is their combined velocity? (Show all calculations)

Answer 1

a) 588 kg m/s, -472 kg m/s

b) 116 kg m/s

c) 0.53 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

`m_1` = Mass of Florida player = 98 kg

`m_2` = Mass of Oklahoma player = 118 kg

`u_1` = Initial Velocity of Florida player = 6 m/s

`u_2` = Initial Velocity of Oklahoma player = -4 m/s

`v` = Combined Velocity

a) Momentum of Florida player

`p=m_u_1\\\Rightarrow p=98* 6\\\Rightarrow p=588 kg m/s`

Momentum of Oklahoma player

`p=m_2u_2\\\Rightarrow p=118* -4\\\Rightarrow p=-472 kg m/s`

b)

`p=588-472\\\Rightarrow p=116 kg m/s`

Net momentum of the players is 116 kgm/s

c)

`m_1u_1 + m_2u_2 =(m_1 + m_2)v_c\\\Rightarrow v_c=(m_1u_1 + m_2u_2)/(m_1 + m_2)\\\Rightarrow v=(116)/(98 + 118)\\\Rightarrow v=0.53\ m/s`

The combined velocity will be 0.53 m/s