Question

In 1976, a 53 kg helicopter was built in Denmark. Suppose this helicopter flew east with a speed of 60.0 m/s and the total momentum of the helicopter and pilot was 7,200 kg∙m/s to the east. What was the mass of the pilot?

Answer 1

Answer:

67 kg.

Explanation:

From the question,

Total momentum = (mass of the pilot+ mass of the helicopter)×velocity.

I = (m+M)v............................... Equation 1

Where I = Total momentum of the pilot and the helicopter, m = mass of the pilot, M = mass of the helicopter, v = velocity.

make m the subject of the equation

m = (I/v)-M.............................. Equation 2

Given: I = 7200 kg.m/s, v = 60 m/s, M = 53 kg.

Substitute these values into equation 2

m = (7200/60)-53

m = 120-53

m = 67 kg.

Hence the mass of the pilot is 67 kg