Question

A cannon is rigidly attached to a carriage,which can move along horizontal rails but is connected to a post by a large spring, initially unstretched and with force constant $k=2.00\times {10}^{4}N/m$, as shown in Figure $P9.70$. The cannon fires a $200-kg$ projectile at a velocity of $125m/s$ directed ${45.0}^o$ above the horizontal.
Consider the system consisting of the cannon,carriage, and projectile. Is the momentum of this system conserved during the firing? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Here, cannon fires along with horizontal rail and horizontal rail is in x-direction. In x direction gravity force and normal force is acting downward direction and upward direction throughout the path therefore, momentum is conserve during the firing if we consider cannon, carriage and projectile as one system.