Big Bubba and Lil' Pete: The Collision on the Gridiron

Understanding the Collision Dynamics:

In this scenario, we have two football players, Big Bubba and Lil' Pete, colliding on the gridiron with different masses and velocities. By applying the principle of conservation of linear momentum, we can calculate Big Bubba's velocity after the collision.

Calculation Process:

Given data:
- The mass of Big Bubba (mb) = 125 kg
- The mass of Lil' Pete (mp) = 80 kg
- The initial velocity of Big Bubba (vb) = 7 m/s
- The initial velocity of Lil' Pete (vp) = -10 m/s
- Lil' Pete's velocity after impact (vp') = +10 m/s

Using the conservation of linear momentum equation:
mb*vb + mp*vp = mb*vb' + mp*vp'
125*7 + 80*(-10) = 125*vb' + 80*10

Solving for Big Bubba's velocity after the collision:
vb' = 7 + 80/125*(-10 - 10)
vb' = 7 - 80*20 / 125 = -5.8 m/s

Therefore, the velocity of Big Bubba after the impact is -5.8 m/s.

← The science behind soccer player kicks and ball forces How to calculate the length of a springboard in gymnastics →

More Posts: