Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 9 - Center of Mass and Linear Momentum - Problems - Page 254: 90b

Answer

The momentum of the daughter nucleus is directed at an angle of $~~28.1^{\circ}~~$ above the positive x axis.

Work Step by Step

Note that the initial momentum is 0. We can use conservation of momentum to find the momentum $p_n$ of the daughter nucleus: $p_f = p_i$ $p_n+(-1.2\times 10^{-22}~kg~m/s)~\hat{i}+(-6.4\times 10^{-23}~kg~m/s)~\hat{j} = 0$ $p_n = (1.2\times 10^{-22}~kg~m/s)~\hat{i}+(6.4\times 10^{-23}~kg~m/s)~\hat{j}$ We can find the direction of the momentum of the daughter nucleus as an angle $\theta$ above the positive x axis: $tan~\theta = \frac{6.4\times 10^{-23}~kg~m/s}{1.2\times 10^{-22}~kg~m/s}$ $\theta = tan^{-1}~(\frac{6.4\times 10^{-23}~kg~m/s}{1.2\times 10^{-22}~kg~m/s})$ $\theta = tan^{-1}~(0.533)$ $\theta = 28.1^{\circ}$ The momentum of the daughter nucleus is directed at an angle of $~~28.1^{\circ}~~$ above the positive x axis.
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