Question

3) A rather large fish is about to eat an unsuspecting small fish. The big fish has a mass of 5kg and is

swimming at 8 m/s, while the small fish has a mass of 1 kg and is swimming at -4 m/s. What is the
velocity of big fish after lunch?

Answer 1

the velocity of the big fish after the launch is 6 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of the big fish, m₁ = 5 kg

velocity of the big fish, u₁ = 8 m/s

mass of the small fish, m₂ = 1 kg

velocity of the small fish, u₂ = -4 m/s

Let the final velocity of the big fish after launch = v

Apply the principle of conservation linear momentum;

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁ + m₂)

5 x 8 + 1 x (-4) = v(5 + 1)

40 - 4 = 6v

36 = 6v

v = 36/6

v = 6 m/s.

Therefore, the velocity of the big fish after the launch is 6 m/s.