On a very muddy football field, a 120 kg linebacker tackles an 85 kg halfback. Immediately before the collision, the linebacker is slipping with a velocity of 8.6 m/s north and the halfback is sliding with a velocity of 7.2 m/s east. a) What is the magnitude of the velocity at which the two players move together immediately after the collision?
b) What is the direction of this velocity ?

(a) 5.85 m/s

(b) 59.33 degrees North East

Explanation:

From the law of conservation of linear momentum, the sum of initial momentum equals the sum of final momentum.

East Momentum

where v and m represent velocity and mass, is common velocity, M is mass of linebacker while m is mass of halfback

North Momentum

where v and m represent velocity and mass, is common velocity, M is mass of linebacker while m is mass of halfback

Resultant velocity,

Resultant velocity=

Direction= North of East

the total distance traveled by the car is

30km + 49km = 79 km .