Two ice skaters approach each other at right angles. skater A has a mass of 38. 6 kg and travels +x direction at 2m/s. Skater B has a mass of 73.7 kg and is moving in the +y direction at 0.963m/s. They collide and cling together. Find the final speed of the couple.
I got 12.17 m/s but I dont know if I am correct
2007-06-19 13:34:39 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
You need to use conservation of momentum. Remember that momentum is a vector quantity, given by the equation
p = m*v
Skater A's momentum is
pA = (38.6 kg)*(2 m/s)
pA = 77.2 kg*m/s
in the +x direction.
Skater B's momentum is
pB = (73.7 kg)*(0.963 m/s)
pB = 70.9731 kg*m/s
in the +y direction.
To add these momentum vectors, you can use the Pythagorean theorem, since the vectors are at right angles, and you're looking for the hypotenuse:
ptotal = sqrt(77.2^2 + 70.9731^2)
ptotal = 104.9 kg*m/s
To find the velocity, divide by the mass of the new object (the two skaters stuck together):
v = ptotal / mtotal
v = 0.933 m/s
2007-06-19 13:50:09 · answer #1 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
12.17m/s
2007-06-19 14:03:51 · answer #2 · answered by stewartembrey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋