Question

a box collides with a ball as shown in the diagram below.
before collision
after collision
after the collision, what will the final momentum of the ball be?

Explanation:

Step1: Apply the law of conservation of momentum

The law of conservation of momentum states that the total initial momentum \(p_{initial}\) is equal to the total final momentum \(p_{final}\).
The initial momentum of the system is \(p_{initial}=15 + 3\) (sum of the momentum of the box and the ball before collision).
The final momentum of the system is \(p_{final}=5 + x\) (where \(x\) is the final momentum of the ball).
Since \(p_{initial}=p_{final}\), we have the equation \(15 + 3=5 + x\).

Step2: Solve the equation for \(x\)

First, simplify the left - hand side of the equation: \(15+3 = 18\).
So the equation becomes \(18=5 + x\).
Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation: \(x=18 - 5\).

Answer:

\(13\space kg\cdot m/s\)