Wilson, College Physics, 6th Edition

Chapter 6
Exercises
MC = Multiple Choice Question, CQ = Conceptual Question, and IE = Integrated Exercise. Throughout the
text, many exercise sections will include paired exercises. These exercise pairs, identified with red numbers,
are intended to assist you in problem solving and learning. In a pair, the first exercise (even numbered) is
worked out in the Study Guide so that you can consult it should you need assistance in solving it. The second
exercise (odd numbered) is similar in nature, and its answer is given at the back of the book.

6.1 Linear Momentum

1.

MC Linear momentum has units of (a) N m , (b) kg m s , (c) N s , (d) all of the preceding. (b)

2.

MC Linear momentum is (a) always conserved, (b) a scalar quantity, (c) a vector quantity, (d) unrelated to
force. (c)

3.

MC A net force on an object can cause (a) an acceleration, (b) a change in momentum, (c) a change in
velocity, (d) all of the preceding. (d)

4.

CQ Does a fast-running running back always have more linear momentum than a slow-moving, more
massive lineman? Explain. no, mass is also a factor

5.

CQ Two objects have the same momentum. Do they necessarily have the same kinetic energy?
Explain. not necessarily; see ISM

6.

CQ Two objects have the same kinetic energy. Do they necessarily have the same momentum?
Explain. no, mass is a factor

7.

If a 60-kg woman is riding in a car traveling at 90 km h , what is her linear momentum relative to (a)
the ground and (b) the car? (a) 1.5 103 kg m s (b) zero

8.

The linear momentum of a runner in a 100-m dash is 7.5 102 kg m s. If the runners speed is
10 m s , what is his mass? 75 kg

9.

Find the magnitude of the linear momentum of (a) a 7.1-kg bowling ball traveling at 12 m s and (b) a
1200-kg automobile traveling at 90 km h. (a) 65 kg m s (b) 3.0 104 kg m s

10.

In a football game, a lineman usually has more mass than a running back. (a) Will a lineman always
have greater linear momentum than a running back? Why? (b) Who has greater linear momentum, a 75-kg
running back running at 8.5 m s or a 120-kg lineman moving at 5.0 m s ? (a) no (b) the running back,

38 kg m s more
11.

How fast would a 1200-kg car travel if it had the same linear momentum as a 1500-kg truck traveling
at 90 km h? 31m s

12.

A 0.150-kg baseball traveling with a horizontal speed of 4.50 m s is hit by a bat and then moves
with a speed of

34.7 m s

in the opposite direction. What is the change in the balls

momentum? 5.88 kg m s in direction opposite vo

13.

A 15.0-g rubber bullet hits a wall with a speed of 150 m s. If the bullet bounces straight back with a
speed of 120 m s , what is the change in momentum of the bullet? 4.05 kg m s in direction opposite vo

14.

IE Two protons approach each other with different speeds. (a) Will the magnitude of the total
momentum of the two-proton system be (1) greater than the magnitude of the momentum of either proton,
(2) equal to the difference between the magnitudes of momenta of the two protons, or (3) equal to the sum
of the magnitudes of momenta of the two protons? Why? (b) If the speeds of the two protons are 340 m s
and 450 m s , respectively, what is the total momentum of the two-proton system? [Hint: Find the mass of
25
a proton in one of the tables inside the backcover.] (a) (2) equal to the difference (b) 1.8 10 kg m s in

direction of the faster proton

15.

Taking the density of air to be 1.29 kg m , what is the magnitude of the linear momentum of a cubic
meter of air moving with a wind speed of (a) 36 km h and (b) 74 mi h (the wind speed at which a
tropical storm becomes a hurricane)? (a) 13 kg m s (b) 43 kg m s

16.

Two runners of mass 70 kg and 60 kg, respectively, have a total linear momentum of 350 kg m s.
The heavier runner is running at 2.0 m s. Determine the possible velocities of the lighter runner. 3.5 m s
in same direction or 8.2 m s in opposite direction

17.

A 0.20-kg billiard ball traveling at a speed of 15 m s strikes the side rail of a pool table at an angle
of 60 (Fig. 6.27). If the ball rebounds at the same speed and angle, what is the change in its
r
momentum? p (3.0 kg m s) y

18.

Suppose the billiard ball in Fig. 6.27 approaches the rail at a speed of 15 m s and an angle of 60, as

shown, but rebounds at a speed of 10 m s and an angle of 50. What is the change in momentum in this
case? [Hint: Use components.] (1.1 kg m s)x (2.6 kg m s) y
19.

A person pushes a 10-kg box from rest and accelerates it to a speed of 4.0 m s with a constant force.
If the box is pushed for a time of 2.5 s, what force is exerted by the person? 16 N

20.

A loaded tractor-trailer with a total mass of 5000 kg traveling at 3.0 km h hits a loading dock and
comes to a stop in 0.64 s. What is the magnitude of the average force exerted on the truck by the
3
dock? 6.5 10 N

21.

A 2.0-kg mud ball drops from rest at a height of 15 m. If the impact between the ball and the ground
lasts 0.50 s, what is the average net force exerted by the ball on the ground? 68 N

22.

IE In football practice, two wide receivers run different pass receiving patterns. One with a mass of
80.0 kg runs at 45 northeast at a speed of 5.00 m s. The second receiver (mass of 90.0 kg) runs straight
down the field (due east) at 6.00 m s. (a) What is the direction of their total momentum: (1) Exactly
northeast; (2) to the north of northeast; (3) exactly east; or (4) to the east of northeast? (b) Justify your
answer in part (a) by actually computing their total momentum. (a) (4) to east of northeast (b)
(823 kg m s) x (283 kg m s) y

23.

A major league catcher catches a fastball moving at 95.0 mi h and his hand and glove recoil 10.0
cm in bringing the ball to rest. If it took 0.00470 seconds to bring the ball (with a mass of 250 g) to rest in
the glove, (a) what is the magnitude and direction of the change in momentum of the ball? (b) Find the
average force the ball exerts on the hand and glove. (a) 10.6 kg m s opposite vo (b) 2.26 103 N

24.

At a basketball game, a 120-lb cheerleader is tossed vertically upward with a speed of 4.50 m s
by a male cheerleader. (a) What is the cheerleaders change in momentum from the time she is released to
just before being caught if she is caught at the height at which she was released? (b) Would there be any
difference if she were caught 0.30 m below the point of release? If so, what is the change then? (a)
491 kg m s downward (b) yes; 524 kg m s downward

25.

A ball of mass 200 g is released from rest at a height of 2.00 m above the floor and it rebounds
straight up to a height of 0.900 m. (a) Determine the balls change in momentum due to its contact with
the floor. (b) If the contact time with the floor was 0.0950 seconds, what was the average force the floor

exerted on the ball, and in what direction? (a) 2.09 kg m s (b) 24.0 N upward

6.2 Impulse
26.

MC Impulse has units (a) kg m s , (b) N s, (c) the same as momentum, (d) all of the preceding. (d)

27.

MC Impulse is equal to (a) F x, (b) the change in kinetic energy, (c) the change in momentum, (d)
p t . (c)

28.

CQ Follow-through is very important in many sports, such as in serving a tennis ball. Explain how
follow-through can increase the speed of the tennis ball when it is served. increase contact time so to
increase impulse

29.

CQ A karate student tries not to follow through in order to break a board, as shown in Fig. 6.28. How
can the abrupt stop of the hand (with no follow-through) generate so much force? see ISM

30.

CQ Explain the difference for each of the following pairs of actions in terms of impulse: (a) a golfers
long drive and a short chip shot; (b) a boxers jab and a knockout punch; (c) a baseball players bunting
action and a home-run swing. see ISM

31.

CQ Explain the principle behind (a) the use of Styrofoam as packing material to prevent objects from
breaking, (b) the use of shoulder pads by football players to prevent injuries, and (c) the thicker glove used
by a baseball catcher than by his teammates in the field. greater contact timeless average force

32.

When tossed upward and hit horizontally by a batter, a 0.20-kg softball receives an impulse of
3.0 N s. With what horizontal speed does the ball move away from the bat? 15 m s

33.

An automobile with a linear momentum of 3.0 104 kg m s is brought to a stop in 5.0 s. What is the
magnitude of the average braking force? 6.0 103 N

34.

A pool player imparts an impulse of 3.2 N s to a stationary 0.25-kg cue ball with a cue stick. What is
the speed of the ball just after impact? 13m s

35.

For the karate chop in Exercise 29, assume that the hand has a mass of 0.35 kg and that the speeds of
the hand just before and just after hitting the board are 10 m s and 0, respectively. What is the average
force exerted by the fist on the board if (a) the fist follows through, so the contact time is 3.0 ms, and (b)
the fist stops abruptly, so the contact time is only 0.30 ms? (a) 1.2 103 N (b) 1.2 10 4 N

36.

IE When bunting, a baseball player uses the bat to change both the speed and direction of the
baseball. (a) Will the magnitude of the change in momentum of the baseball before and after the bunt be
(1) greater than the magnitude of the momentum of the baseball either before or after the bunt, (2) equal to
the difference between the magnitudes of momenta of the baseball before and after the bunt, or (3) equal
to the sum of the magnitudes of momenta of the baseball before and after the bunt? Why? (b) The baseball
has a mass of 0.16 kg; its speeds before and after the bunt are 15 m s and 10 m s , respectively; the bunt
lasts 0.025 s. What is the change in momentum of the baseball? (c) What is the average force on the ball

by the bat? see ISM

37.

IE A car with a mass of 1500 kg is rolling on a level road at 30.0 m s. It receives an impulse with a
magnitude of 2000 N m and its speed is reduced as much as possible by an impulse of this size. (a) Was
this impulse caused by (1) the driver hitting the accelerator, (2) the driver putting on the brakes, or (3) the
driver turning the steering wheel? (b) What was the cars speed after the impulse was applied? (a) (2) the
driver putting on the brakes (b) 28.7 m s

38.

An astronaut (mass of 100 kg, with equipment) is headed back to her space station at a speed of
0.750 m s but at the wrong angle. To correct her direction, she fires rockets from her backpack at right
angles to her motion for a brief time. These directional rockets exert a constant force of 100.0 N for only
0.200 s. [Neglect the small loss of mass due to burning fuel and assume the impulse is at right angles to
her initial momentum.] (a) What is the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the astronaut? (b) What is
her new direction (relative to the initial direction)? (c) What is her new speed? (a) 20.0 N s, (b) 14.9,
(c) 0.776 m s

39.

A volleyball is traveling toward you. (a) Which action will require a greater force on the volleyball,
your catching the ball or your hitting the ball back? Why? (b) A 0.45-kg volleyball travels with a
horizontal velocity of 4.0 m s over the net. You jump up and hit the ball back with a horizontal velocity of
7.0 m s. If the contact time is 0.040 s, what was the average force on the ball? (a) hitting it back (b)
1.2 102 N in direction opposite vo

40.

A 1.0-kg ball is thrown horizontally with a velocity of 15 m s against a wall. If the ball rebounds
horizontally with a velocity of 13m s and the contact time is 0.020 s, what force is exerted on the ball by
3
the wall? 1.4 10 N in direction opposite vo

41.

A boy catcheswith bare hands and his arms rigidly extendeda 0.16-kg baseball coming directly
toward him at a speed of 25 m s. He emits an audible Ouch! because the ball stings his hands. He
learns quickly to move his hands with the ball as he catches it. If the contact time of the collision is
increased from 3.5 ms to 8.5 ms in this way, how do the magnitudes of the average impulse forces
compare? 1.1103 N and 4.7 10 2 N

42.

A one-dimensional impulse force acts on a 3.0-kg object as diagrammed in Fig. 6.29. Find (a) the
magnitude of the impulse given to the object, (b) the magnitude of the average force, and (c) the final
speed if the object had an initial speed of 6.0 m s. (a) 77 N s (b) 5.5 10 2 N (c) 32 m s

43.

A 0.45-kg piece of putty is dropped from a height of 2.5 m above a flat surface. When it hits the
surface, the putty comes to rest in 0.30 s. What is the average force exerted on the putty by the
surface? 15 N upward

44.

If the billiard ball in Fig. 6.27 is in contact with the rail for 0.010 s, what is the magnitude of the
2
average force exerted on the ball? (See Exercise 17.) 3.0 10 N

45.

A 15000-N automobile travels at a speed of 45 km h northward along a street, and a 7500-N sports
car travels at a speed of 60 km h eastward along an intersecting street. (a) If neither driver brakes and the
cars collide at the intersection and lock bumpers, what will the velocity of the cars be immediately after
the collision? (b) What percentage of the initial kinetic energy will be lost in the collision? (a) 36 km h ,
56 north of east (b) 49% lost

46.

In a simulated head-on crash test, a car impacts a wall at 25 mi h (40 km h) and comes abruptly
to rest. A 120-lb passenger dummy (with a mass of 55 kg), without a seatbelt, is stopped by an air bag,
which exerts a force on the dummy of 2400 lb. How long was the dummy in contact with the air bag while
coming to a stop? 0.057 s

47.

A baseball player pops a pitch straight up. The ball (mass 200 g) was traveling horizontally at
35.0 m s just before contact with the bat, and 20.0 m s just after contact. Determine the direction and
magnitude of the impulse delivered to the ball by the bat. 8.06 kg m s , 29.7 above x axis

6.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum

48.

MC The conservation of linear momentum is described by the (a) momentum-impulse theorem, (b) workenergy theorem, (c) Newtons first law, (d) conservation of energy. (a)

49.

MC The linear momentum of an object is conserved if (a) the force acting on the object is conservative,
(b) a single, unbalanced internal force is acting on the object, (c) the mechanical energy is conserved, (d)
none of the preceding. (d)

50.

MC Internal forces do not affect the conservation of momentum because (a) they cancel each other, (b)
their effects are canceled by external forces, (c) they can never produce a change in velocity, (d) Newtons
second law is not applicable to them. (a)

51.

CQ An airboat of the type used in swampy and marshy areas is shown in Fig. 6.30. Explain the
principle of its propulsion. Using the concept of conservation of linear momentum, determine what would

happen to the boat if a sail were installed behind the fan. see ISM

52.

CQ Imagine yourself standing in the middle of a frozen lake. The ice is so smooth that it is frictionless.
How could you get to shore? (You couldnt walk. Why?) throw something, or even blow breath

53.

CQ A stationary object receives a direct hit by another object moving toward it. Is it possible for both
objects to be at rest after the collision? Explain. no, because there is an initial momentum

54.

CQ When a golf ball is driven off the tee, its speed is often much greater than the speed of the golf club.
Explain how this situation can happen. golf ball has much smaller mass

55.

A 60-kg astronaut floating at rest in space outside a space capsule throws his 0.50-kg hammer such that
it moves with a speed of 10 m s relative to the capsule. What happens to the astronaut? moves
0.083 m s in opposite direction

56.

In a pairs figure-skating competition, a 65-kg man and his 45-kg female partner stand facing each other
on skates on the ice. If they push apart and the woman has a velocity of 1.5m s eastward, what is the
velocity of her partner? (Neglect friction.) 1.0 m s westward

57.

To get off a frozen, frictionless lake, a 65.0-kg person takes off a 0.150-kg shoe and throws it
horizontally, directly away from the shore with a speed of 2.00 m s. If the person is 5.00 m from the
shore, how long does he take to reach it? 1.08 103 s 18.1 min

58.

IE An object initially at rest explodes and splits into three fragments. The first fragment flies off to
the west, and the second fragment flies off to the south. The third fragment will fly off toward a general
direction of (1) southwest, (2) north of east, (3) either due north or due east. Why? (b) If the object has a
mass of 3.0 kg, the first fragment has a mass of 0.50 kg and a speed of 2.8 m s , and the second fragment
has a mass of 1.3 kg and a speed of 1.5m s , what are the speed and direction of the third fragment? (a)
(2) north of east (b) 2.0 m s , 54 north of east

59.

Suppose that the 3.0-kg object in Exercise 58 is initially traveling at a speed of 2.5 m s in the
positive x-direction. What will be the speed and direction of the third fragment in this case? 7.6 m s , 12
above the x -axis

60.

Two balls of equal mass (0.50 kg) approach the origin along the positive x- and y-axes at the same
speed (3.3 m/s). (a) What is the total momentum of the system? (b) Will the balls necessarily collide at the
origin? What is the total momentum of the system after both balls have passed through the origin? (a)

10

2.3 kg m s , 45 below the x axis (b) no; same as in (a)

11

61.

Two identical cars hit each other and lock bumpers. In each of the following cases, what are the
speeds of the cars immediately after coupling bumpers? (a) A car moving with a speed of 90 km h
approaches a stationary car; (b) two cars approach each other with speeds of 90 km h and 120 km h ,
respectively; (c) two cars travel in the same direction with speeds of 90 km h and 120 km h ,
respectively. (a) 45 km h (b) 15 km h (c) 105 km h

62.

A 1200-kg car moving to the right with a speed of 25 m s collides with a 1500-kg truck and locks
bumpers with the truck. Calculate the velocity of the combination after the collision if the truck is initially
(a) at rest, (b) moving to the right with a speed of 20 m s , and (c) moving to the left with a speed of
20 m s. (a) 11 m s to the right (b) 22 m s to the right (c) at rest

63.

A 10-g bullet moving horizontally at 400 m s penetrates a 3.0-kg wood block resting on a
horizontal surface. If the bullet slows down to 300 m s after emerging from the block, what is the speed
of the block immediately after the bullet emerges (Fig. 6.31)? 0.33 m s

64.

An explosion of a 10.0-kg bomb releases only two separate pieces. The bomb was initially at rest
and a 4.00-kg piece travels westward at 100 m s immediately after the explosion. (a) What is the speed
and direction of the other piece immediately after the explosion? (b) How much kinetic energy was
4
released in this explosion? (a) 66.7 m s , east; (b) 3.33 10 J

65.

A 1600-kg (empty) truck rolls with a speed of 2.5 m s under a loading bin, and a mass of 3500 kg is
deposited in the truck. What is the trucks speed immediately after loading? 0.78 m s

66.

IE A new crowd control method utilizes rubber bullets instead of real ones. Suppose that, in a test,
one of these bullets with a mass of 500 g is traveling at 250 m s to the right. It hits a stationary target
head-on. The targets mass is 25.0 kg and it rests on a smooth surface. The bullet bounces backward (to
the left) off the target at 100 m s. (a) Which way must the target move after the collision: (1) right, (2)
left, (3) it could be stationary, or (4) you cant tell from the data given? (b) Determine the recoil speed of
the target after the collision. (a) (1) right (b) 7.00 m s

67.

For a movie scene, a 75-kg stuntman drops from a tree onto a 50-kg sled that is moving on a frozen

12

lake with a velocity of 10 m s toward the shore. (a) What is the speed of the sled after the stuntman is on
board? (b) If the sled hits the bank and stops, but the stuntman keeps on going, with what speed does he
leave the sled? (Neglect friction.) (a) 4.0 m s (b) 4.0 m s

13

68.

A 90-kg astronaut is stranded in space at a point 6.0 m from his spaceship, and he needs to get back
in 4.0 min to control the spaceship. To get back, he throws a 0.50-kg piece of equipment so that it moves
at a speed of 4.0 m s directly away from the spaceship. (a) Does he get back in time? (b) How fast must
he throw the piece of equipment so he gets back in time? (a) no (b) 4.5 m s

69.

A projectile that is fired from a gun has an initial velocity of 90.0 km h at an angle of 60.0
above the horizontal. When the projectile is at the top of its trajectory, an internal explosion causes it to
separate into two fragments of equal mass. One of the fragments falls straight downward as though it had
been released from rest. How far from the gun does the other fragment land? 82.8 m

70.

A moving shuffleboard puck has a glancing collision with a stationary puck of the same mass, as
shown in Fig. 6.32. If friction is negligible, what are the speeds of the pucks after the
collision? 0.61 m s , 0.73 m s

71.

A small asteroid (mass of 10 g) strikes a glancing blow at a satellite in empty space. The satellite
was initially at rest and the asteroid traveling at 2000 m s. The satellites mass is 100 kg. The asteroid is
deflected 10 from its original direction and its speed decreases to 1000 m s , but neither object loses
mass. Determine the (a) direction and (b) speed of the satellite after the collision. (a) 9.7 (b) 0.10 m s

72.

A ballistic pendulum is a device used to measure the velocity of a projectilefor example, the
muzzle velocity of a rifle bullet. The projectile is shot horizontally into, and becomes embedded in, the
bob of a pendulum, as illustrated in Fig. 6.33. The pendulum swings upward to some height h, which is
measured. The masses of the block and the bullet are known. Using the laws of momentum and energy,
show that the initial velocity of the projectile is given by vo [(m M ) m] 2 gh . see ISM

6.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

73.

MC Which of the following is not conserved in an inelastic collision: (a) momentum, (b) mass, (c) kinetic
energy, or (d) total energy? (c)

74.

MC A rubber ball of mass m traveling horizontally with a speed v hits a wall and bounces back with the
same speed. The change in momentum is (a) mv, (b) mv, (c) mv 2, (d) 2mv. (d)

75.

MC In a head-on elastic collision, mass m1 strikes a stationary mass m2 . There is a complete transfer of
energy if (a) m1 m2 , (b) m1 m2 , (c) m1 m2 , (d) the masses stick together. (a)

14

76.

MC The condition for a two-object inelastic collision is (a) K f Ki , (b) pi pf , (c) m1 m2 , (d)
v1 v2 . (a)

77.

2
CQ Since K p 2m , how can kinetic energy be lost in an inelastic collision while the total momentum

is still conserved? Explain. see ISM

78.

CQ Discuss the common and different characteristics of an elastic collision and an inelastic collision. see
ISM

79.

CQ Can all of the kinetic energy be lost in the collision of two objects? Explain. yes, see ISM

80.

For the apparatus in Fig. 6.15, one ball swinging in at a speed of 2vo will not cause two balls to
swing out with speeds vo . (a) Which law of physics precludes this situation from happening, the law of
conservation of momentum or the law of conservation of mechanical energy? (b) Prove this law
mathematically. (a) conservation of mechanical energy (b) see ISM

81.

A proton of mass m moving with a speed of 3.0 106 m s undergoes a head-on elastic collision with
an alpha particle of mass 4m, which is initially at rest. What are the velocities of the two particles after
6
6
the collision? vp 1.8 10 m s; va 1.2 10 m s

82.

A 4.0-kg ball with a velocity of 4.0 m s in the x -direction collides head-on elastically with a
stationary

2.0-kg

ball.

What

are

the

velocities

of

the

balls

after

the

collision? v1 1.3 m s; v2 5.3 m s

83.

A ball with a mass of 0.10 kg is traveling with a velocity of 0.50 m s in the x -direction and
collides head-on with a 5.0-kg ball that is at rest. Find the velocities of the balls after the collision. Assume
that the collision is elastic. v1 0.48 m s; v2 0.020 m s

84.

At a county fair, two children ram each other head-on while riding on the bumper car attraction. Jill
and her car, traveling left at 3.50 m s , have a total mass of 325 kg. Jack and his car, traveling to the right
at 2.00 m s , have a total mass of 290 kg. Assuming the collision to be elastic, determine their velocities
after the collision. 1.69 m s , right; 3.81m s , left

85.

In a high-speed chase, a policemans car bumps a criminals car directly from behind to get his
attention. The policemans car is moving at 40.0 m s to the right and has a total mass of 1800 kg. The

15

criminals car is initially moving in the same direction at 38.0 m s. His car has a total mass of 1500 kg.
Assuming

an

elastic

collision,

determine

bump. vp 38.2 m s , vc 40.2 m s

16

their

two

velocities

immediately

after

the

86.

IE Fig. 6.34 shows a bird catching a fish. Assume that initially the fish jumps up and that the bird
coasts horizontally and does not touch water with its feet or flap its wings. (a) Is this kind of collision (1)
elastic, (2) inelastic, or (3) completely inelastic? Why? (b) If the mass of the bird is 5.0 kg, the mass of the
fish is 0.80 kg, and the bird coasts with a speed of 6.5 m s before grabbing, what is the speed of the bird
after grabbing the fish? (a) (3) completely inelastic (b) 5.6 m s

87.

A 1.0-kg object moving at 10 m s collides with a stationary 2.0-kg object as shown in Fig. 6.35.
If the collision is perfectly inelastic, how far along the inclined plane will the combined system travel?
Neglect friction. 0.94 m

88.

In a pool game, a cue ball traveling at 0.75 m s hits the stationary eight ball. The eight ball moves
off with a velocity of 0.25 m s at an angle of 37 relative to the cue balls initial direction. Assuming that
the collision is inelastic, at what angle will the cue ball be deflected, and what will be its speed? 15,
0.57 m s

89.

Two balls with masses of 2.0 kg and 6.0 kg travel toward each other at speeds of 12 m s and
4.0 m s , respectively. If the balls have a head-on, inelastic collision and the 2.0-kg ball recoils with a
2
speed of 8.0 m s , how much kinetic energy is lost in the collision? 1.110 J

90.

Two

balls

approach

each

other

as

shown

in

Fig.

6.36,

where

m 2.0 kg, v 3.0 m s , M 4.0 kg, and V 5.0 m s. If the balls collide and stick together at the
origin, (a) what are the components of the velocity v of the balls after collision, and (b) what is the angle

? (a) vx 1.0 m s; v y 3.3 m s (b) 73

91.

IE A car traveling east and a minivan traveling south collide in a completely inelastic collision at a
perpendicular intersection. (a) Right after the collision, will the car and minivan move toward a general
direction (1) south of east, (2) north of west, or (3) either due south or due east? Why? (b) If the initial
speed of the 1500-kg car was 90.0 km h and the initial speed of the 3000-kg minivan was 60.0 km h ,
what is the velocity of the vehicles immediately after collision? (a) (1) south of east (b) 13.9 m s , 53.1
south of east

92.

A 1.0-kg object moving at 2.0 m s collides elastically with a stationary 1.0-kg object, similar to the

17

situation shown in Fig. 6.35. How far will the initially stationary object travel along a 37 inclined plane?
Neglect friction. 0.34 m

18

93.

fellow

student

states

that

the

total

momentum

of

three-particle

system

(m1 0.25 kg, m2 0.20 kg, and m3 0.33 kg) is initially zero. He calculates that after an inelastic triple
collision the particles have velocities of 4.0 m/s at 0, 6.0 m at 120, and 2.5 m/s at 230, respectively,
with angles measured from the x axis. Do you agree with his calculations? If not, assuming the first two
answers to be correct, what should be the momentum of the third particle so the total momentum is
zero? no; 1.1 kg m s , 249
94.

A freight car with a mass of 25000 kg rolls down an inclined track through a vertical distance of
1.5 m. At the bottom of the incline, on a level track, the car collides and couples with an identical freight
car that was at rest. What percentage of the initial kinetic energy is lost in the collision? 50%

95.

In nuclear reactors, subatomic particles called neutrons are slowed down by allowing them to
collide with the atoms of a moderator material, such as carbon atoms, which are 12 times as massive as
neutrons. (a) In a head-on elastic collision with a carbon atom, what percentage of a neutrons energy is
7
lost? (b) If the neutron has an initial speed of 1.5 10 m s , what will be its speed after collision? (a)

7
28% (b) 1.3 10 m s

96.

In a noninjury chain-reaction accident on a foggy freeway, car 1 (mass of 2000 kg) moving at
15.0 m s to the right elastically collides with car 2, initially at rest. The mass of car 2 is 1500 kg. In turn,
car 2 then goes on to lock bumpers (that is, it is a completely inelastic collision) with car 3, which has a
mass of 2500 kg and was also at rest. Determine the speed of all cars immediately after this unfortunate
accident. v1 2.14 m s , v2 1.71 m s , v23 6.41 m s

97.

Pendulum 1 is made of a 1.50-m string with a small Super Ball attached as a bob. It is pulled aside
30 and released. At the bottom of its arc, it collides with another pendulum bob of the same length, but
the second Pendulum 2 has a bob made from a Super Ball whose mass is twice that of the bob of
Pendulum 1. Determine the angles to which both pendulums rebound (when they come to rest) after they
collide and bounce back. 1 9.94, 2 19.8

98.

Show that the fraction of kinetic energy lost in a ballistic-pendulum collision (as in Fig. 6.33) is
equal to M (m M ). see ISM

6.5 Center of Mass

19

99.

MC The center of mass of an object (a) always lies at the center of the object, (b) is at the location of the
most massive particle in the object, (c) always lies within the object, (d) none of the preceding. (d)

100. MC The center of mass and center of gravity coincide (a) if the acceleration due to gravity is constant, (b)
if momentum is conserved, (c) if momentum is not conserved, (d) only for irregularly shaped objects. (a)
101. CQ Figure 6.37 shows a flamingo standing on one of its two legs, with its other leg lifted. What can
you say about the location of the flamingos center of mass? directly above the foot on the ground
102. CQ Two identical objects are located a distance d apart. If one of the objects remains at rest and the other
moves away with a constant velocity what is the effect on the CM of the system? moves with v 2 in v
direction
103. (a) The center of mass of a system consisting of two 0.10-kg particles is located at the origin. If one
of the particles is at (0, 0.45 m), where is the other? (b) If the masses are moved so their center of mass is
located at (0.25 m, 0.15 m), can you tell where the particles are located? (a) (0, 0.45 m) (b) no, only
that they are equidistant from CM
104. The centers of a 4.0-kg sphere and a 7.5-kg sphere are separated by a distance of 1.5 m. Where is the
center of mass of the two-sphere system? 0.98 m from less massive sphere
105. (a) Find the center of mass of the EarthMoon system. [Hint: Use data from the tables on the inside
cover of the book, and consider the distance between the Earth and Moon to be measured from their
centers.] (b) Where is that center of mass relative to the surface of the Earth? (a) 4.6 106 m from centers
(b) 1.8 106 m below
106. Find the center of mass of a system composed of three spherical objects with masses of 3.0 kg, 2.0
kg, and 4.0 kg and centers located at (6.0 m, 0), (1.0 m, 0), and (3.0 m, 0), respectively. (0.44 m, 0)
107. Rework Exercise 69, using the concept of the center of mass, and compute the distance the other
fragment landed from the gun. 82.8 m
108. IE A 3.0-kg rod of length 5.0 m has at opposite ends point masses of 4.0 kg and 6.0 kg. (a) Will the
center of mass of this system be (1) nearer to the 4.0-kg mass, (2) nearer to the 6.0-kg mass, or (3) at the
center of the rod? Why? (b) Where is the center of mass of the system? see ISM
109. A piece of uniform sheet metal measures 25 cm by 25 cm. If a circular piece with a radius of 5.0 cm
is cut from the center of the sheet, where is the sheets center of mass now? still at center of sheet
110. Locate the center of mass of the system shown in Fig. 6.38 (a) if all of the masses are equal; (b) if

20

m2 m4 2m1 2m3 ; (c) if m1 1.0 kg, m2 2.0 kg, m3 3.0 kg, and m4 4.0 kg. (a) (2.0 m, 2.0 m)
(b) (2.0 m, 2.0 m) (c) (2.8 m, 2.0 m)

21

111. Two cups are placed on a uniform board that is balanced on a cylinder (Fig. 6.39). The board has a
mass of 2.00 kg and is 2.00 m long. The mass of cup 1 is 200 g and it is placed 1.05 m to the left of the
balance point. The mass of cup 2 is 400 g. Where should Cup 2 be placed for balance (relative to the right
end of the board)? 0.175 m
112. A 100-kg astronaut (mass includes space gear) on a space walk is 5.0 m from a 3000-kg space
capsule and at the full length of her safety cord. To return to the capsule, she pulls herself along the cord.
Where do the astronaut and capsule meet? 0.16 m from capsules original position
113. Two skaters with masses of 65 kg and 45 kg, respectively, stand 8.0 m apart, each holding one end of
a piece of rope. (a) If they pull themselves along the rope until they meet, how far does each skater travel?
(Neglect friction.) (b) If only the 45-kg skater pulls along the rope until she meets her friend (who just
holds onto the rope), how far does each skater travel? see ISM
114. Three particles, each with a mass of 0.25 kg, are located at (4.0 m, 0), (2.0 m, 0), and (0, 3.0 m)
r
r
r
and are acted on by forces F1 (3.0 N)y , F2 (5.0 N) y , and F3 (4.0 N) x , respectively. Find the
acceleration (magnitude and direction) of the center of mass of the system. [Hint: Consider the
components of the acceleration.] see ISM

Comprehensive Exercises
115. An unbalanced baton consists of a very light aluminum rod 60.0 cm long. The mass at one end is three
times the mass at the light end. Initially the baton is launched with a speed of 15.0 m s at an angle of 45
degrees from ground level. When the baton reaches the apex of its flight, it is oriented vertically, with the
light end above the heavy end. Determine the height of each end of the baton above the ground at the
apex. massive end, 5.59 m; less massive end, 6.19 m
116. A 20.0-g bullet traveling at 300 m s passes completely through a wooden block, initially at rest on a
smooth table. The block has a mass of 1000 g. The bullet emerges traveling in the same direction, but at
50.0 m s. (a) What is the speed of the block afterward? (b) What fraction (or percentage) of the total
initial kinetic energy is lost in this process? (a) 5.00 m s , (b) 95.8%

22

117. A small asteroid (a rock with a mass of 100 g) strikes a glancing blow with a space probe with a mass of
1000 kg. Assume all planets are far away so gravitational forces can be neglected. Because of the
collision, the asteroid is deflected at 40 from its original direction and its speed reduced to 12 000 m s
from its initial speed of 20 000 m s. The probe was originally moving at 200 m s in the x direction. (a)
Determine the angle at which the probe is deflected from its initial direction. (b) What is the speed of the
probe after the collision? (a) 0.222 (b) 199 m s
118. IE In the radioactive decay of a nucleus of an atom called americium-241 (symbol

241

Am, mass of

4.03 1025 kg) , it emits an alpha particle (designated as ) with a mass of 6.68 1027 kg to the right
13
with a kinetic energy of 8.64 10 J. (This is typical of nuclear energies, small on the everyday scale.)

237
25
The remaining nucleus is neptunium-237 ( Np) and has a mass of 3.96 10 kg. Assume the initial

nucleus was at rest. (a) Will the neptunium nucleus have (1) more, (2) less, or (3) the same amount of
kinetic energy compared to the alpha particle? (b) Determine the kinetic energy of the

237

Np nucleus

14
afterward. (a) (2) less (b) 1.46 10 J

119. A hockey player is initially moving at 5.00 m s to the east. Her mass is 50.0 kg. She intercepts and
catches on her stick a puck initially moving at 35.0 m s at an angle of 30 degrees (Fig. 6.40). Assume
that the pucks mass is 0.50 kg and the two form a single object for a few seconds. (a) Determine the
direction angle and speed of the puck and skater after the collision. (b) Was this collision elastic or
inelastic? Prove your answer with numbers. (a) 4.65 m s 2.13 (b) K K o inelastic

23