1. During the early stages of planet formation, small chunks of rock collide and

Question

1. During the early stages of planet formation, small chunks of rock collide and stick together to form a larger “proto-planet.” One rock has a mass of 120 kg and is moving at 5250 m/s in the xdirection, and the other has a mass of 250 kg and is moving at 4830 m/s in the y-direction.

a) Write an expression for conservation of momentum in the x-direction.

b) Write an expression for conservation of momentum in the y-direction.

c) What is the final direction of motion after the collision?

d) What is the final speed after the collision?

Explanation / Answer

FROM LAW OF CONSERVATION OF LINEAR MOMENTUM BEFORE COLLISION AND AFTER COLLISION

BEFORE COLLISION ALONG X axis momentum (p)=mxvx=120x5250 kg m/s=630000 kg m/s

along y-axis =myvy=250x4830=1207500kg m/s

after collision stick together so they are moving with common velocity v=(mxvxi+myvyj)/(mx+my)

v=(630000i+1207500j)/(120+250) in x-y plane

speed=square root of(632+120.752) x104/(370)=1361967.78/370=3680.994 m/s

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