Question

Two bodies A and B of mass 150 gm and 250 gm are approaching towards each other. Both particles have a speed of 3 Ms per second find the magnitude of total linear momentum of the system of two particles

Answer 1

Mass of body A, ma = 150 g = 0.15 kg

Mass of body B, mb = 250 g = 0.25 kg

Both the bodies are moving towards each other. Let the direction of B be taken as positive. Then the direction of A will be considered negative.

Velocity of A, va = - 3 m/s

Velocity of B, vb = 3 m/s

Now, total momentum of the system,

P = mava + mbvb

=> P = (0.15)(-3) + (0.25)(3)

=> P = -.45 + .75

=> P = 0.30 Ns