Question

An arrow of mass 415 g is shot at a target with a speed of 68.5m/s. The target, which has a mass of 3.3 kg, is moving toward the arrow with a speed of 1.1m/s. The surface on which the target is sliding is friction-free. If the arrow embeds itself in the target, what will be the velocity of the target/arrow mass after the collision? Take the arrow's initial velocity direction as positive

Answer 1

The velocity of the target and arrow after collision is 6.67m/s

Explanation:

Given:

Mass of arrow, mₐ = 415g

Speed of arrow, vₐ = 68.5m/s

Mass of the target, mₓ = 3.3kg = 3300g

speed of the target, vₓ = -1.1m/s (Because the target moves in opposite direction

Velocity of the target and arrow after collision, vₙ = ?

Applying the conservation of momentum,

mₐvₐ + mₓvₓ = (mₐ+mₓ) vₙ

415 X 68.5 + 3300 X -1.1 = (415+3300) X vₙ

28427.5 - 3630 = 3715 X vₙ

24797.5 = 3715 X vₙ

vₙ = 6.67m/s

Therefore, the velocity of the target and arrow after collision is 6.67m/s