Question

Two vehicles collide and stick together. After the collision, their combined y-momentum is 2.40 × 104 kilogram meters/second, and their x-momentum is 7.00 × 104 kilogram meters/second. What is the angle of the motion of the two vehicles, with respect to the x-axis?

A)16.8°
B)17.0°
C)18.9°
D)20.8°
E)21.8°
just let know if its a-b

Answer 1

I got C) 18.9 degreese

Answer 2

Answer : What is the angle of the motion of the two vehicles, with respect to the x-axis is 18.9°

Explanation :

Given that,

Two vehicle collide and stick together. This shows an inelastic collision.

Momentum in y direction, $p_y=2.4\times 10^4\ kg\ m/s$  

Momentum in x direction, $p_x=7.00\times 10^4\ kg\ m/s$      

Since the momentum is vector quantity so the angle between them is given by :

$tan\ \theta=\dfrac{p_y}{p_x}$

$tan\ \theta=\dfrac{2.4\times 10^4\ kg\ m/s}{7.00\times 10^4\ kg\ m/s}$

$tan\ \theta=0.34$

$\theta=tan^{-1}(0.34)$

$\theta=18.77^0$

So, the correct option is (C) " 18.9° "