Question

A mass m1= 6.20 kg is moving North with a velocity of v1= 13.5m/sec when it collides perpendicularly with another mass m2= 4.40 kg moving East with a velocity of v2= 8.80 m/sec. as shown to the left. Mass m1 runs into mass m2 in an inelastic collision and both masses stick together and move off after the collision at an angle as shown.

What will be the direction and magnitude of the total momentum of these two masses before the collision?

Answer 1

Momentum of mass
`m_(1)` is 83·7 kg m/s towards north

Momentum of mass
`m_(2)` is 38·72 kg m/s towards east

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

Mass of
`m_(1)` = 6·2 kg

Mass of
`m_(2)` = 4·4 kg

Velocity of mass
`m_(1)` =
`v_(1)` = 13·5 m/s

Velocity of mass
`m_(2)` =
`v_(2)` = 8·8 m/s

Momentum of mass
`m_(1)` =
`m_(1)` ×
`v_(1)` = 6·2 × 13·5 = 83·7 kg m/s

Momentum of mass
`m_(2)` =
`m_(2)` ×
`v_(2)` = 4·4 × 8·8 = 38·72 kg m/s

As mass
`m_(1)` is moving North, the direction of momentum will also be in that direction because the direction of momentum will be in the direction of velocity

As mass
`m_(2)` is moving East, the direction of momentum will also be in that direction because the direction of momentum will be in the direction of velocity

∴ Momentum of mass
`m_(1)` is 83·7 kg m/s towards north

∴ Momentum of mass
`m_(2)` is 38·72 kg m/s towards east