Conservation of Momentum

Practice

practice problem 1

In the action-adventure movie Eraser, (1996) Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a US Marshall working for the Witness Relocation Program. He obtains a high-tech weapon that launches projectiles at "nearly the speed of light." Arnold wields the weapon like a shotgun, firing it several times from an unbraced, standing position. Bad guys are then seen flying through the air (for several meters) after being hit. Explain the physical impossibility of operating such a weapon in the manner described above.

solution

Answer it.

practice problem 2

If a significant portion of the population of China (say one billion people) simultaneously jumped 1 m high, how far would the earth recoil? Assume an average mass of 60 kg per person. (Do not use a calculator to compute your answer. This is meant to be an order of magnitude calculation.)

solution

Answer it.

practice problem 3

Write something different.

solution

Answer it.

practice problem 4

Write a conveyor belt problem and make it interesting.

solution

Answer it.

The Physics Hypertextbook

  • No condition is permanent.