Physics 100A Homework 8 – Chapter 9

9.4 Two air-track carts move toward one another on an air track. Cart 1 has a mass of 0.35 kg and a speed of
1.2 m/s. Cart 2 has a mass of 0.61 kg.
A)What speed must cart 2 have if the total momentum of the system is to be zero?
B)Since the momentum of the system is zero, does it follow that the kinetic energy of the system is also zero?

4. Picture the Problem: The two carts approach each other on a frictionless track at different speeds.
Strategy: Add the momenta of the two carts and set it equal to zero. Solve the resulting expression for v2 . Then use
equation 7-6 to find the total kinetic energy of the two-cart system. Let cart 1 travel in the positive direction.
G G G G
Solution: 1. (a) Set ∑ p = 0 and solve for v2 : ∑ p = m1 v1 + m2 v 2 = 0
This is a one-dimensional problem so the arrow is m1v1 ( 0.35 kg )(1.2 m/s )
v2 = − = = 0.69 m/s
dropped but the direction is taken into consideration via m2 0.61 kg
the plus/minus sign.
The absolute of the quantity is used to calculate the
speed, which is a scalar.

2. (b) No, kinetic energy is always greater than or equal to zero.

3. (c) Use equation 7-6 to sum the kinetic ∑K = 1
2
m1v12 + 12 m2 v2 2
energies of the two carts:
= ( 0.35 kg )(1.2 m/s ) + 12 ( 0.61 kg )( 0.69 m/s )
1 2 2
2

= 0.40 J

Insight: If cart 1 is traveling in the positive xˆ direction, then its momentum is ( 0.42 kg ⋅ m/s ) xˆ and the momentum of
cart 2 is ( − 0.42 kg ⋅ m/s ) xˆ .

G
9.7 Object 1 has a mass m1 and a velocity v1 = 2.20 m/s xˆ .
G
Object 2 has a mass m2 and a velocity v2 = 3.50 m/s yˆ .
The total momentum of these two objects has a magnitude of 17.6 kg ·m/s and points in a direction 66.5° above
the positive x axis.

7. Picture the Problem: The individual momenta and final momentum vectors are
depicted at right. y
G G
Strategy: The momenta of the two objects are perpendicular. Because of this we p total p2
can say that the momentum of object 1 is equal to the x-component of the total
x
momentum and the momentum of object 2 is equal to the y-component of the total
momentum. Find the momenta of objects 1 and 2 in this manner and divide by their G
p1
speeds to determine the masses.
Solution: 1. Find ptotal, x and divide by v1 : p1 = m1v1 = ptotal, x = ptotal cos θ = (17.6 kg ⋅ m/s )( cos 66.5° ) = 7.02 kg ⋅ m/
p1 7.02 kg ⋅ m/s
m1 = = = 2.51 kg
v1 2.80 m/s

2. Find ptotal, y and divide by v2 :

p2 = m2 v2 = ptotal, y = ptotal sin θ = (17.6 kg ⋅ m/s )( sin 66.5° ) = 16.1 kg ⋅ m/s
p2 16.1 kg ⋅ m/s
m2 = = = 5.21 kg
v2 3.10 m/s

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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

Insight: Note that object 2 has the larger momentum because the total momentum points mostly in the ŷ direction. The
two objects have similar speeds, so object 2 must have the larger mass in order to have the larger momentum.

Impulse on a Ball
In a baseball game the batter swings and gets a good solid hit. His swing applies a force of 12,000 N to the ball
−3
for a time of 0.7 × 10 s.
A) Assuming that this force is constant, what is the magnitude J of the impulse on the ball?
J = F Δt = (12,000)(0.7 × 10−3 ) = 8.4 kg ·m/s
B) The net force versus time graph has a rectangular shape. Often in physics geometric properties of graphs have
physical meaning.
For this graphs the area of the rectangle corresponds to the impulse.

C) If both the graph representing the constant net force and the graph representing the variable net force
represent the same impulse acting on the baseball, the two graphs must have the same area.

D) Assume that a pitcher throws a baseball so that it travels in a straight line parallel to the ground. The batter
then hits the ball so it goes directly back to the pitcher along the same straight line. Define the direction the pitcher
originally throws the ball as the +x direction.
The impulse on the ball caused by the bat will be in the negative x-direction.
G G G
J = p f − pi
G G G
J = mball v f ( − xˆ ) − mball vi xˆ
G
J = − mball ( v f + vi ) xˆ
E) Now assume that the pitcher in Part D throws a 0.145-kg baseball parallel to the ground with a speed of 32 m/s
in the +x direction. The batter then hits the ball so it goes directly back to the pitcher along the same straight line.
What is the ball's velocity just after leaving the bat if the bat applies an impulse of -8.4 Ns to the baseball?

J
= −v f − vi
mball
J ( −84)
v f = − − vi − = −32 − = −26.0 m/s (to the left)
mball 0.145

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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

Kinetic Energy and Momentum

The two toy cars shown in the figure, with masses as given in the figure, are ready to race. Both cars begin from
rest. For each question, state whether the correct answer is car A, car B, or whether the two cars have equal
values for the parameter in question.

For the next three parts assume that the cars' motors supply the same force to each car over the course of a 1.0-
meter race.
A)Which car crosses the finish line 1.0 m away first? Car B wins.
pinitial = 0 for both cars
Then F = ma . Since the force is the same the car with the smallest mass will have the larger acceleration
and will cover the 1.0 m distance faster.

B) Which car has the larger kinetic energy when it crosses the finish line 1.0 m away? The same.

W = Fd = ΔK = K final - Kinitial = K final Since the force and displacement are the same the cars will
have the same final kinetic energy.

C) Which car has a larger momentum when it crosses the finish line 1.0 m away?

From the kinetic energy v final = (2W ) / m

And p final = mv final = 2Wm Since the work is the same the car with the largest mass will have the
larger momentum.

D) Which car has traveled farther after 10s? Car B with the larger acceleration.
E) After 10 s which car has a larger kinetic energy? Car B would have travelled the largest distance and therefore
experienced the largest work which corresponds to a higher final kinetic energy.
F) After 10 s which car has a larger momentum?
$p_{final} = F \Delta t$ If the force and the time are the same, the final momentum is the same for both.
G
9.19) A 0.14-kg baseball moves toward home plate with a velocity vi = ( −36 m/s ) xˆ
G
After striking the bat, the ball moves vertically upward with a velocity v f = (18 m/s ) yˆ .

A) Find the direction of the impulse delivered to the ball by the bat. Assume that the ball and bat are in contact for
1.5ms.

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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

B)Find the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the ball by the bat. Assume that the ball and bat are in contact
for 1.5ms.

19. Picture the Problem: The ball rebounds from the bat in the manner indicated
by the figure at right.
Strategy: The impulse is equal to the vector change in the momentum. G
G vf
Analyze the x and y components of Δp separately, then use the components
G G
to find the direction and magnitude of I . vi

Solution: 1. (a) Find Δpx : Δpx = m ( vfx − vix ) = ( 0.14 kg ) ⎡⎣0 − ( −36 ) m/s ⎤⎦ = 5.0 kg ⋅ m/s

2. Find Δp y : Δp y = m ( vfy − viy ) = ( 0.14 kg )(18 − 0 m/s ) = 2.5 kg ⋅ m/s

G G G
3. Use equation 9-6 to find I : I = Δp = ( 5.0 kg ⋅ m/s ) xˆ + ( 2.5 kg ⋅ m/s ) yˆ

G ⎛ Iy ⎞ −1 ⎛ 2.5 ⎞
4. Find the direction of I : θ = tan −1 ⎜ ⎟ = tan ⎜ ⎟ = 27° above the horizontal
⎝ Ix ⎠ ⎝ 5.0 ⎠
G
I = I x2 + I y2 = ( 5.0 kg ⋅ m/s ) + ( 2.5 kg ⋅ m/s ) = 5.6 kg ⋅ m/s
2 2
5. Find the magnitude of I :

6. (b) If the mass of the ball were doubled the impulse would double in magnitude. There would be no change in the
direction.
G
7. (c) If Δp of the ball is unchanged, the impulse delivered to the ball would not change, regardless of the mass of the
bat.
Insight: The impulse brings the ball to rest horizontally but gives it an initial horizontal speed. Verify for yourself that
this ball will travel straight upward 16.5 m (54 feet) before falling back to Earth. An easy popup!

Momentum in an Explosion
A giant "egg" explodes as part of a fireworks display. The egg is at rest before the explosion, and after the
explosion, it breaks into two pieces, with the masses indicated in the diagram, traveling in opposite directions

A)What is the momentum p A,i of piece A before the explosion?

Since the egg is initially at rest the initial momentum is zero for both pieces.
B) During the explosion, is the force of piece A on piece B greater than, less than, or equal to the force of piece B
on piece A?
By Newton’s third law the force of A on B has the same magnitude but opposite direction to the force of B on A.
C)The momentum of piece B is measured to be 500 kg·m/s after the explosion. Find the momentum p A, f of

piece A after the explosion.

ptotal , f = ptotal ,i = 0
p A, f + p B , f = 0 p A, f = − pB , f = −500 kg·m/s.

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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

Catching a Ball on Ice

Olaf is standing on a sheet of ice that covers the football stadium parking lot in Buffalo, New York; there is
negligible friction between his feet and the ice. A friend throws Olaf a ball of mass 0.400 kg that is traveling
horizontally at 11.8 m/s. Olaf's mass is 70.6 kg.

A)If Olaf catches the ball, with what speed v f do Olaf and the ball move afterward?
p f = pi
p f = pO ,i + pb,i p f = ( mO + mb )v f = pb,i “Stick together”
mbvb,i (0.4)(11.8)
vf = = = 6.65 cm/s
( mO + mb ) (70.6 + 0.4)

B) the ball hits Olaf and bounces off his chest horizontally at 7.10 m/s the opposite direction, what is his speed
v f after the collision?

pO , f + pb, f = pO ,i + pb,i
pO , f = pb,i − pb, f = mb (vb,i − vb, f )
mb 0.4
vO , f = ( vb,i − vb, f ) = (11.8 − ( −7.1)) = 10.7 cm/s, in the original direction of the ball
mO 70.6
9.21) Two groups of canoeists meet in the middle of a lake. After a brief visit, a person in canoe 1 pushes on
canoe 2 to separate the canoes. Suppose the speeds of the two canoes after they are pushed apart are 0.58 m/s
for canoe 1 and 0.42 m/s for canoe 2.
If the mass of canoe 1 is 320 kg, what is the mass of canoe 2?

21. Picture the Problem: The two canoes are pushed apart by the force exerted by a passenger.
Strategy: By applying the conservation of momentum we conclude that the total momentum of the two canoes after the
push is zero, just as it was before the push. Set the total momentum of the system to zero and solve for m2 . Let the
G G
velocity v1 point in the negative direction, v 2 in the positive direction.
Solution: Set ptotal = 0 and solve for m2 : p1x + p2 x = 0 = m1v1x + m2 v2 x
−m1v1x − ( 320 kg )( − 0.58 m/s )
m2 = = = 440 kg
v2 x 0.42 m/s
Insight: An alternative way to find the mass is to use the equations of kinematics in a manner similar to that described
in Example 9-3.

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portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

9.25) A 92-kg astronaut and a 1200-kg satellite are at rest relative to the space shuttle. The astronaut pushes on
the satellite, giving it a speed of 0.14 m/s directly away from the shuttle. Seven-and-a-half seconds later the
astronaut comes into contact with the shuttle.
What was the initial distance from the shuttle to the astronaut?

25. Picture the Problem: The astronaut and the satellite move in opposite directions after the astronaut pushes off. The
astronaut travels at constant speed a distance d before coming in contact with the space shuttle.
Strategy: As long as there is no friction the total momentum of the astronaut and the satellite must remain zero, as it
was before the astronaut pushed off. Use the conservation of momentum to determine the speed of the astronaut, and
then multiply the speed by the time to find the distance. Assume the satellite’s motion is in the negative x-direction.
Solution: 1. Find the speed of the astronaut using pa + ps = 0 = ma va + ms vs
conservation of momentum: mv
va = − s s
ma

ms vs (1200 kg )( − 0.14 m/s )

2. Find the distance to the space shuttle: d = va t = − t=− ( 7.5 s ) = 14 m
ma ( 92 kg )
Insight: One of the tricky things about spacewalking is that whenever you push on a satellite or anything else, because
of Newton’s Third Law you yourself get pushed ! Conservation of momentum makes it easy to predict your speed.

A Girl in a Trampoline

A girl of massm1 = 60 kilograms springs from a trampoline with an initial upward velocity of vi = 8.0 meters per
second. At height h = 2.0 meters above the trampoline, the girl grabs a box of mass m2 = 15 kilograms.

A) What is the speed vbefore of the girl immediately before she grabs the box?
Here we use kinematics.
2
vbefore = vi2 − 2 gy
vbefore = (80)2 − 2(98)(2) = 4.98 m/s
B) What is the speed $v_{after}$ of the girl immediately after she grabs the box?
Now we use conservation of momentum.
p f = mbvb,i + mg vg ,before , p f = ( mg + mb )vafter , vb,i = 0
mg vg ,before (60)(498)
vafter = = = 3.98 m/s
( mg + mb ) (60 + 15)
C) This "collision" is inelastic.
D) What is the maximum height hmax that the girl (with box) reaches? Measure hmax with respect to the top of the
trampoline.
Let us start at the level in which the girl grabs the box and then add the additional height.
v 2f = vi2 − 2 gy , the final velocity is zero as the girl and box reach the maximum height.
2
vi2 vafter (398) 2
y= = = = 0.81 m
2g 2g 2(98)
And hmax = 0.81 + 20 = 2.81 m

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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

A One-Dimensional Inelastic Collision

Block 1, of mass m1 = 8.70 kg, moves along a frictionless air track with speed v1 = 15.0 m/s. It collides with
block 2, of mass m2 = 23.0 kg , which was initially at rest. The blocks stick together after the collision.
A) Find the magnitude pi of the total initial momentum of the two-block system.
pi = m1v1,i + m2v2,i = (87)(15) + 0 =131 Kg·m/s
B) Find v f , the magnitude of the final velocity of the two-block system.
pi 131
p f = mtotal v f = pi vf =
= = 4.12 m/s
mtotal (8.7 + 23)
C) What is the change ΔK = K f − K i in the system's kinetic energy due to the collision?
1 1 1
ΔK = mtotal v 2f − m1v12 − m2v22
2 2 2
1 1
ΔK = (8.7 + 23)(4.12) 2 − (8.7)(15) 2 − 0 = −710 J
2 2
9.28) A cart of mass m moves with a speed v on a frictionless air track and collides with an identical cart that is
stationary.
If the two carts stick together after the collision, what is the final kinetic energy of the system?

mv v
p f = mtotal v f = pi = mv vf = =
(m + m) 2
2
1 1 ⎛v⎞
K f = mtotal v 2f = (2m ) ⎜ ⎟ = 0.25mv 2
2 2 ⎝2⎠

28. Picture the Problem: The two carts collide on a frictionless track and stick together.
Strategy: The collision is completely inelastic because the two carts stick together. Momentum is conserved during the
collision because the track has no friction. The two carts move as if they were a single object after the collision. Use
the conservation of momentum to find the final speed of the carts and final kinetic energy of the system.
Solution: 1. Conserve momentum to find the pi = pf
final speed of the carts: mv v
mv + m(0) = 2mvf ⇒ vf = =
2m 2
2. Use equation 7-6 to find the final kinetic energy: K f = 12 (2m)vf 2 = m ( 12 v ) =
2 1
4
mv 2

Insight: Half of the initial kinetic energy is gone, having been converted to heat, sound, and permanent deformation of
material during the inelastic collision.

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portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

9.37) A 732-kg car stopped at an intersection is rear-ended by a 1720-kg truck moving with a speed of 15.5 m/s.
A) If the car was in neutral and its brakes were off, so that the collision is approximately elastic, find the final
speed of the truck.
B) Find the final speed of the car.

Let us derive the equations from the book.

Momentum conservation with v1,i = v0 and v2,i = 0

m1v1, f + m2v2, f = m1v0 Equation 1
m1 ( v1, f − v0 ) = −m2v2, f Equation 2
Kinetic energy conservation
1 1 1
m1v1,2 f + m2v2,2 f = m1v02
2 2 2
m1 ( v1, f − v0 ) = −m2v2, f
2 2 2

m1 ( v1, f − v0 )( v1, f + v0 ) = −m2v2,2 f Equation 3

Substituting from equation 2 into equation 3
−m2v2, f ( v1, f + v0 ) = − m2v2,2 f
v1, f + v0 = v2, f Equation 4
Substitute into equation 1
m1v1, f + m2 ( v1, f + v0 ) = m1v0
Collecting terms
( m1 + m2 )v1, f = ( m1 − m2 )v0
( m1 − m2 )
v1, f = v0
( m1 + m2 )
And returning to equation 4
2m1
v2, f = v0
( m1 + m2 )

37. Picture the Problem: The truck strikes the car from behind. The collision sends the car lurching forward and slows
down the speed of the truck.
Strategy: This is a one-dimensional, elastic collision where one of the objects (the car) is initially at rest. Therefore,
equation 9-12 applies and can be used to find the final speeds of the vehicles. Let m1 be the mass of the truck, m2 be
the mass of the car, and v0 be the initial speed of the truck.

⎛ m − m2 ⎞ ⎛ 1720 − 732 kg ⎞
Solution: 1. Use equation 9-12 to find v1,f : v1,f = ⎜ 1 ⎟ v0 = ⎜ ⎟ (15.5 m/s ) = 6.25 m/s = vtruck
⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠ ⎝ 1720 + 732 kg ⎠

⎛ 2m1 ⎞ ⎡ 2 (1720 kg ) ⎤
2. Use equation 9-12 to find v2,f : v2,f = ⎜ ⎟ v0 = ⎢ ⎥ (15.5 m/s ) = 21.7 m/s = vcar
⎝ m1 + m2 ⎠ ⎣1720 + 732 kg ⎦
Insight: The elastic collision produces a bigger jolt for the car. If the collision were instead inelastic and the two
vehicles stuck together, the final speed of the car (and the truck) would be 10.9 m/s.

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Chapter 9: Linear Momentum and Collisions James S. Walker, Physics, 4th Edition

9.42) The three air carts shown in the figure have masses, reading from left to right, of 4m, 2m, and m ,
respectively. The most massive cart has an initial speed of v0 ; the other two carts are at rest initially. All carts are
equipped with spring bumpers that give elastic collisions.
A) Find the final speed of each cart. (Assume the air track is long enough to accommodate all collisions.)

We use the same equations as in the last problem:

42. Picture the Problem: The cart 4m collides with the cart 2m, which is
given kinetic energy as a result and later collides with the cart m.
Strategy: In each case a moving cart collides with a cart that is at rest,
so application of equation 9-12 will yield the final velocities of all the
carts. First apply equation 9-12 to the collision between carts 4m and
2m, then to the collision between 2m and m. Let the 4m cart be called
cart 4, the 2m cart be called cart 2, and the m cart be called cart 1:

Solution: 1. (a) Apply equation 9-12 to the ⎛ m − m2 ⎞ ⎛ 4m − 2 m ⎞

v4,f = ⎜ 4 ⎟ v4,i = ⎜ ⎟ v0 = 3 v0
1

⎝ m4 + m2 +
first collision: ⎝ ⎠
⎠ 4 m 2 m
⎛ 2m4 ⎞ ⎡ 2 ( 4m ) ⎤
v2,f =⎜ ⎟ v4,i = ⎢ ⎥ v0 = 3 v0
4

⎝ 4
m + m2 ⎠ ⎣ 4 m + 2 m ⎦

⎛ m − m1 ⎞ ⎛ 2m − m ⎞ 4
⎟ ( 3 v0 ) =
2. Apply equation 9-12 to the second collision.
v2,f = ⎜ 2 ⎟ v2,i = ⎜
4
v0
⎝ m2 + m1 ⎠ ⎝ 2m + m ⎠
9
In this case cart 2 has an initial speed of 43 v0 :
⎛ 2m2 ⎞ ⎡ 2 ( 2m ) ⎤ 4
v1,f = ⎜ ⎟ v2,i = ⎢ ⎥ ( 3 v0 ) =
16
v0
⎝ m2 + m1 ⎠ ⎣ 2m + m ⎦
9

( 4m ) v02 = 12 ( 4m ) ( 13 v0 ) + 12 ( 2m ) ( 94 v0 ) + 12 ( m ) ( 169 v0 )
?
3. (b) Verify that K i = K f by writing using 1 2 2 2
2

equation 7-6 and dividing both sides by mv02 : 2 16 256 36 32 256 324
2= + + = + + = =2
9 81 162 162 162 162 162
Insight: Note that due to the transfer of kinetic energy via collisions, the cart with the smallest mass ends up with the
largest speed.

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portion of this material may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher.
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