Answer:
The speed of the melon as it flies off the man’s head is 0.3 m/s.
Explanation:
Given;
mass of the melon, m₁ = 2 kg
initial speed of the melon, u₁ = 0
mass of arrow, m₂ = 0.05 kg
initial speed of the arrow, u₂ = 30 m/s
final speed of the arrow, v₂ = 18 m/s
let v₁ be the final speed of the melon as it flies off the man's head.
Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum;
m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂
2(0) + 0.05 x 30 = 2v₁ + 0.05 x 18
1.5 = 2v₁ + 0.9
2v₁ = 1.5 - 0.9
2v₁ = 0.6
v₁ = 0.6 / 2
v₁ = 0.3 m/s
Therefore, the speed of the melon as it flies off the man’s head is 0.3 m/s.
