Question

A system consists of three particles with these masses and velocities: mass 3.00 kg, moving north at 3.00 m/s; mass 4.00 kg, moving south at 3.70 m/s; and mass 7.00 kg, moving north at 2.00 m/s. What is the total momentum of the system? Take north as the positive axis. Enter a positive answer if the total momentum is due north and a negative answer if the total momentum is due south.

Answer 1

the total momentum is 8 .2 kg m/s in north direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

given,

mass(m₁) 3.00 kg, moving north at v₁ = 3.00 m/s

mass(m₂) 4.00 kg, moving south at v₂ = 3.70 m/s

mass(m₃) 7.00 kg, moving north at v₃ = 2.00 m/s

north as the positive axis

south as the negative axis

now

total momentum = m₁v₁ + m₂ v₂ + m₃ v₃

total momentum = 3 x 3 - 4 x 3.7 + 7 x 2

= 9 - 14.8 + 14

= 8 .2 kg m/s

hence, the total momentum is 8 .2 kg m/s in north direction.