Question

Two soccer players run toward each other. One player has a mass of 85 kg
and runs west with a speed of 8 m/s, while the other has a mass of 105 kg
and runs east with a speed of 7 m/s. What is the total momentum of the
system made up of the two players?

Answer 1

Answer:

Total momentum, p = 55 kg-m/s

It is given that,

Mass of player 1, m₁ = 85 kg

Mass of player 2, m₂ = 105 kg

Speed of player 1, v₁ = -8 m/s (west)

Speed of player 2, v₂ = 7 m/s (east)

Momentum is equal to the product of mass and velocity. For this system, momentum is given by :

p=m_1v_1+m_2v_2p=m

1

v

1

+m

2

v

2

p=85\ kg\times (-8\ m/s)+105\ kg\times 7\ m/sp=85 kg×(−8 m/s)+105 kg×7 m/s

p = 55 kg-m/s

The total momentum of the system made up of the two players is 55 kg-m/s.

Answer 2

Answer:

p = 55 kg * m/s east

Explanation:

The answer above explains it neatly, but leaves the direction out of the answer. The player heading east has more momentum, so the net momentum of the system is east.