Question

Two football players collide head-on in midair while chasing a pass. The first player has a 110 kg mass and an initial velocity of 4.20 m/s in the positive x direction, while the second player has a 135 kg mass and initial velocity of 3.40 m/s in the negative x direction. What is the x component of their velocity just after impact if they cling together? (Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer.)

Answer 1

v = 0.012 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

This is a problem of momnetun, to solve it we must define a system that includes both players. In this case the forces during the crash are internal forces and the momentum is preserved

Initial

p₀ = m₁ v₁₀ + m₂ v₂₀

Final

`p_(f)` = (m₁ + m₂) v

Because the two players are united

p₀ =
`p_(f)`

m₁ v₁₀ + m₂ v₂₀ = = (m₁ + m₂) v

v = (m₁ v₁₀ + m₂ v₂₀) / (m₁ + m₂)

let's calculate

v = (110 4.20 - 135 3.40) / (110 + 135)

v = 3/245

v = 0.012 m/s

The positive sign indicates that they move to the right