A 1200 - kg station wagon is moving along a straight highway at 12.0 m/s. Anothe

Question

A 1200 - kg station wagon is moving along a straight highway at 12.0 m/s. Another car, with mass 1800 kgand speed 20.0 ,m/s has its center of mass 40.0 mahead of the center of mass of the station wagon (Figure 1) . A.) Find the position of the center of mass of the system consisting of the two automobiles. B.) Find the magnitude of the total momentum of the system from the above data. C.) Find the speed of the center of mass of the system. D.) Find the total momentum of the system, using the speed of the center of mass.

Explanation / Answer

A)

Here ,

Xcom = X1 * M1 + X2 *M2 /(M1 + M2)

Xcom = (1200*0 + 1800 * 40)/(1200 + 1800)

Xcom = 24 m

the centre of mass is at x = 24 m from 1200 kg car

B)

Total momentum = m1*v1 + m2 *v2

Total momentum = 1200*12 + 1800*20

Total momentum = 50400 Kg.m/s

the total momentum using the above data is 50400 Kg.m/s

C)

Vcom = (12*1200 + 20*1800)/(1200 + 1800)

Vcom = 16.8 m/s

the speed of centre of mass is 16.8 m/s

D)
Total momentum = Vcom*M

Total momentum = 16.8 * (1200 = 1800)

Total momentum = 50400 Kg.m/s

the total momentum of the system is 50400 Kg.m/s

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