Tutorial

Chapter 7

13. Two objects are involved in a completely inelastic one-dimensional collision. The
net external force acting on them is zero. The table lists four possible sets of the initial
and final momenta and kinetic energies of the two objects. Which is the only set that
could occur?

6. A particle is moving along the +x axis, and the graph shows its momentum p as a
function of time t. Use the impulse–momentum theorem to rank (largest to smallest)
the three regions according to the magnitude of the impulse applied to the particle. (a)
A, B, C (b) A, C, B (c) A and C (a tie), B (d) C, A, B (e) B, A, C

1. A 53-kg skater is standing still in front of a wall. By pushing against the wall she
propels herself backward with a velocity of -2.0 m/s. Her hands are in contact with the
wall for 0.80 s. Ignore friction and wind resistance. Find the magnitude and direction
of the average force she exerts on the wall (which has the same magnitude as, but
opposite direction to, the force that the wall applies to her).

5. A volleyball is spiked so that its incoming velocity of +4.0 m/s is changed to an

outgoing velocity of -21 m/s. The mass of the volleyball is 0.35 kg. What impulse
does the player apply to the ball?

AP10001 Introduction to Physics 1 Dr. S.H. Choy

9. A space probe is traveling in outer space with a momentum that has a magnitude of
7.5 x 107 kg m/s. A retrorocket is fired to slow down the probe. It applies a force to
the probe that has a magnitude of 2.0 x 106 N and a direction opposite to the probe’s
motion. It fires for a period of 12 s. Determine the momentum of the probe after the
retrorocket ceases to fire.

17. A 2.3-kg cart is rolling across a frictionless, horizontal track toward a 1.5-kg cart
that is held initially at rest. The carts are loaded with strong magnets that cause them
to attract one another. Thus, the speed of each cart increases. At a certain instant
before the carts collide, the first cart’s velocity is +4.5 m/s, and the second cart’s
velocity is -1.9 m/s. (a) What is the total momentum of the system of the two carts at
this instant? (b) What was the velocity of the first cart when the second cart was still
at rest?

21. A two-stage rocket moves in space at a constant velocity of 4900 m/s. The two
stages are then separated by a small explosive charge placed between them.
Immediately after the explosion the velocity of the 2000-kg upper stage is 5700 m/s in
the same direction as before the explosion. What is the velocity (magnitude and
direction) of the 3000-kg lower stage after the explosion?

29. Consult Multiple-Concept Example 8 for background pertinent to this problem. A

2.50-g bullet, traveling at a speed of 425 m/s, strikes the wooden block of a ballistic
pendulum, such as that in Figure 7.12. The block has a mass of 215 g. (a) Find the
speed of the bullet–block combination immediately after the collision. (b) How high
does the combination rise above its initial position?

33. A 8.00-kg ball, moving to the right at a velocity of +2.00 m/s on a frictionless
table, collides head-on with a stationary 10.50-kg ball. Find the final velocities of the
balls if the collision is (a) elastic and (b) completely inelastic.

AP10001 Introduction to Physics 2 Dr. S.H. Choy

55. Multiple-Concept Example 7 presents a model for solving problems such as this
one. A 1055-kg van, stopped at a traffic light, is hit directly in the rear by a 715-kg car
traveling with a velocity of +3.00 m/s. Assume that the transmission of the van is in
neutral, the brakes are not being applied, and the collision is elastic. What are the final
velocities of (a) the car and (b) the van?

AP10001 Introduction to Physics 3 Dr. S.H. Choy