The mathematical definition of momentum is that it is the qu

The mathematical definition of momentum is that it is the quantity given by the product of the mass and velocity of an object. Since velocity is a vector quantity, so then is momentum. Vector quantities are described by both magnitude and direction. We have used vectors for velocity and force situations, now momentum because of its relationship to velocity. A 100 kg hockey player skates at 10 m/s in the northeast direction on a rink where the east-west directions establish the x-axis (east being positive) of a coordinate system. Similarly, the north-south directions establish the y-direction (north being positive). What are the x and y components of this skater\'s momentum?

Solution

It needs to be understood here that the direction of the momentum vector, say P, is same as that of the velocity vector, say V.

Now, for the given situation, the skater is moving with V = 10m/s and has mass of 100 Kg along a direction which makes an angle of 45 degrees with the X as well as Y axis.

So the mometum = P = MV = 10 x 100 = 1000 kg-m/s

The x component would be given as: 1000 Cos45 = 707.107 Kg-m/s

And the Y component would be given as: 1000 Sin45 = 707.107 Kg-m/s