A 4.00 kg ball is moving at 3.00 m/s to the NORTH and a 5.00 kg ball is moving at 2.00 m/s to the NORTHWEST.The total momentum of the system is
A) 20.3 kg m/s at an angle of 89.7 degrees NORTH of EAST.
B) 20.3 kg m/s at an angle of 24.6 degrees SOUTH of EAST.
C) 26.1 kg m/s at an angle of 24.6 degrees NORTH of EAST.
D) 26.1 kg m/s at an angle of 89.7 degrees SOUTH of EAST.
E) 43.00 kg m/s at an angle of 45.0 degrees NORTH of EAST.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The correct answer is A because the total momentum of the system is the vector sum of the momenta of the two balls. The momentum of the 4.00 kg ball is 4.00 kg * 3.00 m/s = 12.00 kg m/s to the NORTH. The momentum of the 5.00 kg ball is 5.00 kg * 2.00 m/s = 10.00 kg m/s at an angle of 45 degrees NORTH of WEST. The total momentum of the system is therefore 12.00 kg m/s to the NORTH + 10.00 kg m/s at an angle of 45 degrees NORTH of WEST = 20.3 kg m/s at an angle of 89.7 degrees NORTH of EAST.

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