How Fast Does Ozone Travel After Collision?

[Voltrical]

Homework Statement

A 32-u oxygen molecule (O2) moving in the +x-direction at 580 m/s collides with an oxygen atom (mass 16 u) moving at 870 m/s at 27° to the x-axis. The particles stick together to form an ozone molecule. Find the ozone’s velocity.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

m1 = 32 u,
v1 = 580i m/s,
m2 = 16 u,

v2 =870(cos(27) i + sin(27) j) m/s

m1 v1 + m2 v2 =(m1 + m2)V

V = (m1 v1+ m2 v2)/(m1+ m2) = (645 i) m/s

Answer = 645 i m/s

Does that look right?

 

[ehild]

Conservation of momentum must hold for all components. You calculated the x component of velocity of the ozone molecule. Do you think it has zero y component of velocity?

ehild