Question

A water-balloon launcher with mass 2 kg fires a 0.75 kg balloon with a

velocity of 14 m/s to the west. What is the recoil velocity of the launcher?
What is the answer

Answer 1

5.25 m/s to the east

Step-by-step explanation:

Applying,

MV = mv.............. Equation 1

Where M = mass of the launcher, V = recoil velocity of the launcher, m = mass of the balloon, v = velocity of the balloon

make V the subject of the equation

V = mv/M............ Equation 2

From the question,

M = 2 kg, m = 0.75 kg, v = 14 m/s

Substitute these values into equation 2

V = (0.75×14)/2

V = 5.25 m/s to the east