1. Conservation of Momentum
Sample Problems

2. Conservation of Momentum
Problem 1
Glider A of mass kg moves along a frictionless air track with a velocity of m/s. It collides with glider B of mass kg moving in the same direction at a speed of m/s. After the collision, glider A continues in the same direction with a velocity of m/s. What is the velocity of glider B after the collision?
REMEMBER: mAvA + mBvB = mAvA‘ + mBvB'
KNOWN:
mA = kg
vA = m/s
mB = kg
vB = m/s
vA ‘ = m/s
UNKNOWN:
vB ‘ = ?
vB‘ = m/s

3. Conservation of Momentum
Problem 2
A 20 g bullet strikes an 8 kg stationary wooden block and embeds itself in the block. The block and the bullet fly off together at 10 m/s. What was the original velocity of the bullet?
REMEMBER: mBvB + mWvW = (mB + mW)v'
KNOWN:
mB = kg
Since vW = 0, we can eliminate this quantity.
mw = 8 kg
vW = 0 m/s
v' = 10 m/s
UNKNOWN:
vB = ?
vB = 4 x 103 m/s