Answer:
3.75 m/s
Explanation:
The arrow has a mass, M, of 0.2 kg and it travels with initial velocity, U, 50 m/s to the right. The apple of mass, m, 2.5 kg is initially at rest (u = 0 m/s).
After the collision, the arrow and the apple are stuck together. They have the same final velocity, V.
We are told to assume that no external forces are present and therefore the momentum for the system is conserved.
Using the Principle of conservation of momentum, we have that in a system of bodies:
Total initial momentum = Total final momentum
The total initial momentum is:
M*U + m*u = (0.2*50) + (2.5*0) = 10 kgm/s
The total final momentum is:
M*V + m*V = (M + m)*V = (0.2 + 2.5)*V = 2.67V kgm/s
Therefore:
10 = 2.67V
=> V = 10 / 2.67 = 3.75 m/s
The final velocity of the apple and arrow is 3.75 m/s.
