Conservation of Momentum in Two Dimensions involving a barge collision

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on a two-dimensional conservation of momentum problem involving a collision between two barges. The first barge, with a mass of 1.50 X 105 kg, travels at 6.2 m/s, while the second barge, with a mass of 2.78 X 105 kg, moves at 4.3 m/s before the collision. Post-collision, the second barge deflects 18 degrees downriver and accelerates to 5.1 m/s. The objective is to determine the speed and direction of the first barge immediately after the collision using conservation of momentum principles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conservation of momentum in two dimensions
  • Familiarity with vector decomposition and trigonometry
  • Knowledge of collision types (elastic vs inelastic)
  • Ability to apply the momentum formula: p = mv
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of two-dimensional momentum conservation
  • Learn about vector addition and decomposition techniques
  • Explore examples of collisions in physics, focusing on momentum calculations
  • Review the effects of angles on momentum in collision scenarios
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding momentum conservation in collision scenarios, particularly in two dimensions.

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A barge with mass 1.50 X 10^5 kg is proceeding downriver at 6.2 m/s in heavy fog when it collides with a barge heading directly across the river (see the poorly drawn image, in link)http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/ravenatic20/untitled4.jpg ...
The second barge has mass 2.78 X 10^5 kg and before the collision is moving at 4.3 m/s. Immediately after impact, the second barge finds its course deflected by 18 degrees in the downriver direction, and its speed increased to 5.1 m/s.

The river current is approximately zero at the time of the accident. What are the speed and direction of motion of the first barge immediately after the collision? What formulas did you use to solve this, and how did you solve it? In other words, explain how you came to your answer.

Any help would be great!
 
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First, this is a physics problem, not a math problem so I'm moving it. Second, I see no indication at all of what you have done or tried on this problem yourself.
 
No, I haven't. That's why I'm here. What do I do?
 

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