Find the magnitude and direction of the sum of momenta

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the magnitude and direction of the sum of momenta for two joggers with different masses and velocities. The context is centered around vector addition in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the method of finding vector components and adding them to calculate the total momentum. There is a question regarding the relevance of the impulse-momentum theorem in this context.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the correct approach to the problem, with some participants suggesting a focus on vector addition rather than the impulse-momentum theorem. There is an acknowledgment of confusion regarding the instructions provided by an external platform.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem may have been misinterpreted due to conflicting guidance from webassign, which suggested using the impulse-momentum theorem instead of focusing on momentum vectors directly.

ladolce
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Homework Statement




An 85 kg jogger is heading due east at a speed of 2.2 m/s. A 55 kg jogger is heading 20° north of east at a speed of 4.0 m/s. Find the magnitude and direction of the sum of momenta of the two joggers.

Homework Equations



The Impulse-Momentum Theorem

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried to get the components of the 2 vectors, add them, and get the answer...but I got the wrong answer apparently. Should I try again?
 
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Yes, try it again--that's the right method. Remember that you are adding momenta, not just velocity vectors.

This has nothing to do with the impulse-momentum theorem.

Also: Try to give your posts more descriptive titles that "Help!". :wink:
 
haha well obviously "help" gets a much desired response =) but i'll keep that in mind. and webassign is wrong a lot. it said to use the theorem. how would i use momenta instead?
 
Ok, I got it. Thanks!
 
ladolce said:
haha well obviously "help" gets a much desired response =) but i'll keep that in mind.
Don't worry about the getting help part--that's what the "homework help" forums are for. But if all your posts have the same title, busy homework helpers might think they've already answered your question--thus you end up getting less help than you might need.
and webassign is wrong a lot. it said to use the theorem. how would i use momenta instead?
That's what I thought you already tried. Find the components and add them up. This is an addition of vectors problem, not an impulse-momentum problem. (Unless there is more.)
 
ladolce said:
Ok, I got it. Thanks!
Good! ... :smile:
 

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