A potato cannon is used to launch a potato on a frozen lake. The mass of the can

Question

A potato cannon is used to launch a potato on a frozen lake. The mass of the cannon, Mc, is 10.kg, and the mass of the potato, Mp, is 0.850kg. The cannon's spring (with spring constant kC= 7.06 x 10^3 N/m) is compressed 2.00m. Prior to launching the potato, the cannon is at rest. The potato leaves the cannon's muzzle moving horizontally to the right at a speed of vP= 175 m/s. Neglect the effects of the potato spinning. Assume there is no friction between the cannon and the lake's ice of between the cannon barrel and the potato. What is the total mechanical energy (potential and kinetic) of the potato/cannon system before and after the firing of the potato?

Explanation / Answer

can use conservation of momentum, since all forces are internal: p_i=p_f -> 0=Mc*vc+Mp*vp -> vc=-Mp*vp/Mc=14.9 m/s

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.