Question

In this experiment, the force of gravity clearly causes both the projectile and the target to accelerate. We still, however, use this situation as an example of a two-dimensional collision where conservation of momentum holds. Explain in detail why this is the case.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Collision refers to an event occurring for a very short interval of time in which forces like gravity, which are finite in magnitude offer very little impulse (Fdt).

Impulse refers to a change in momentum, which is represented as

ΣF(Δt)

According to Newton's third law, in the case of a two-dimensional collision, the two objects colliding impart the same force on each other, therefore, the sum of the forces is zero.

Thus, for ΣF(Δt) we would have:

(0)(Δt) = 0

This implies that there is a conservation of momentum.

Generally, a projectile motion, though influenced by gravity possesses a vertical motion due to vertical velocitycomponent( vsin) and horizontal velocity (vcos).

Similarly for the target, since we have velocities in different directions, we would have momentums in different directions.

Thus, the law of conservation of momentum will be used for the scenario described in the question.