Question

A 1200 kg cannon fires a 100.0 kg cannonball at 52 m/s. What is the recoil velocity of the cannon? Assume that frictional forces are negligible and the cannon is fired horizontally. A) 4.3 m/s B) 5.2 m/s C) 52 m/s D) 4.7 m/s

Answer 1

Answer:

A) 4.3 m/s

Explanation:

M = mass of the cannon = 1200 kg

m = mass of the cannonball = 100 kg

v = speed of the cannonball after the fire = 52 m/s

V = speed of cannon after fire

Since the cannon and cannonball were at rest before fire, total initial momentum will be taken as 0

Using conservation of momentum

0 = m v - M V

M V = m v

inserting the values

(1200) V = (100) (52)

V = 4.3 m/s