Mechanics: Momentum and Collisions

Momentum And Collisions Problem Sets || Equation Overview

Momentum and Collisions: Audio Guided Solution

Problem Set MC15, Question 5:

They can't wait to start baseball in Minneapolis, even if it's January and all ponds are frozen. Jake takes his 46.3-kg baseball pitching machine out to the frozen pond on his farm. He fires a 0.143-kg baseball from the machine at an angle of 30 degrees with the vertical at a speed of 19.2 m/s. With what velocity (in cm/s) does this cause the machine to recoil?

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

An effective problem solver by habit approaches a physics problem in a manner that reflects a collection of disciplined habits. An effective problem-solver...

...reads the problem carefully and develops a mental picture of the physical situation. If needed, they sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help visualize it.
...identifies the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner, often times recording them on the diagram itself. Then equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity (e.g., v_o = 0 m/s; a = 4.2 m/s/s; v_f = 22.9 m/s; d = ???.).
...plots a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity; the strategy will typically center around the use of physics equations be heavily dependent upon an understanding of physics principles.
...identifies the appropriate formula(s) to use, often times writing them down. Where needed, they perform the needed conversion of quantities into the proper unit.
...performs substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

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