Question

Could someone please answer this question for me? Also pls provide a detailed explanation. Thanks in advance ​

Answer 1

Answer:

-0.4 m/s

Explanation:

We can solve this problem by using the law of conservation of momentum. In fact, the total momentum of the shell + cannon system must be conserved.

Before the shot, the total momentum of the system is zero:

p = 0

After the shot, the total momentum is:

$p=mv +MV$

where

m = 3.0 kg is the mass of the shell

v = 200 m/s is the velocity of the shell

M = 1500 kg is the mass of the cannon

V is the recoil velocity of the cannon

Since momentum is conserved, the initial and final momenta must be equal, therefore:

$0=mv+MV\\V=-\frac{mv}{M}=-\frac{(3.0)(200)}{1500}=-0.4 m/s$

Where the negative sign indicates that the cannon moves in the opposite direction to the shell.