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posted by  mlb08 on 11/10/2007 9:12:34 PM  |  status: Live  

Conservation of Momentum

Course Textbook Chapter Problem
General Physics N/A N/A N/A
Question Details:
A 90kg fullback attempts to dive over the goal line with a velocity of 6.00 m/s. He is met at the goal line by a 110-kg linebacker moving at 4.00 mls in the opposite direction. They collide in mid-air and the linebacker holds on to the fullback. What happens?
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posted by ktqu on 11/10/2007 9:37:50 PM  |  status: Live
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"Thank you!"
Response Details:
Find the momentum of the fullback and the linebacker.
momentum (p) = mass (m) times velocity (v)
 
For the fullback:
p1 = (90 kg)(6.00 m/s) = 540 kg m/s
 
For the linebacker:
the velocity is negative because he is moving in the opposite direction of the fullback
p2 = (110 kg)(-4.00 m/s) = -440 kg m/s
 
Use conservation of momentum to find the final velocity.
p1i + p2i = mfvf
540 - 440 = (110 kg +90 kg) vf
vf = 0.5 m/s
 
They will be moving at 0.5 m/s in the direction that the fullback was moving initially. He scores!
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posted by murty on 11/10/2007 9:41:01 PM  |  status: Live
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Response Details:
taking full back direction as positive ,
after collision both together should move with a speed of  0.5 m/s in the direction of full back
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posted by KW on 11/10/2007 9:43:57 PM  |  status: Live
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mlb08's comment:
"Thank you!"
Response Details:
This is an example of an inelastic collision (since the players remain joined after the collision), in which kinetic energy is lost.  However, linear momentum is conserved since the net external forces equals zero.
momentum before collision = momentum after velocity
to be more specific...
momentumfull + momentumline = momentumboth
Since momentum (p) = mass (m) times velocity (v), you can say that:
mfullvfull + mlinevline = mbothvboth
Solve for vboth:
vboth = (mfullvfull + mlinevline)/mboth
vboth = (90 kg x -6 m/s    +    110 kg x 4 m/s) / (90 kg +110 kg) = -0.5 m/s
Keep in mind that mboth equals the sum of the players since they become one object after the collision. Also, be sure to set one of the players' velocity as negative and one positive since they start off running in opposite directions.  The sign of the answer (negative) implies that they are going in the direction of the fullback (negative).  If you set the linebacker as negative, then your answer will come out positive.
 
To sum it up:  The two players, joined together, travel at a velocty of 0.5 m/s in the direction the fullback was initially travelling.
 
Hope this helps!
 
 
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