A 26-kg dog is running northward at 2.7 m/'s, while a 5.3 kg

cat is running eastward at 3.0 m/s.

Question

A. Find the total momentum of the system

B. Find the magnitude of the total momentum

Explanation:

Momentum can be defined as the product of mass and velocity, it is a vector quantity.

Momentum = mass * velocity

P = mv

So, since it is a vector quantity we must take note of its direction

Given that,

1. 26-kg dog is running northward at 2.7 m/'s

Md = 26kg

Vy = 2.7m/s •j

Then, it is moving in the positive y direction

Then, it is momentum is

Py = Md•Vy

Py = 26 * 2.7 •j

Py = 70.2 kgm/s •j

2. A 5.3 kg cat is running eastward at 3.0 m/s.

The cat is running towards the east, then it is moving in the positive x direction

Vx = 3 •i m/s

Mc = 5.3kg

Px = Mc•Vx

Px = 5.3 * 3 •i

Px = 15.9 •i kgm/s

Then,

Total momentum is equal to

P = Px + Py

P = 15.9 •i + 70.2 •j kgm/s

B. Magnitude of the total momentum

Magnitude of a vector quantity

x = a•i + b•j is generally given as

X = √ (a²+b²)

Direction
Therefore,

|P| = √ (15.9²+70.2²)

|P| = 71.98 kgm/s

Direction