A revolutionary war cannon, with a mass of 2240 kg, fires a 15.5 kg ball horizontally. The cannonball has a speed of 131 m/s after it has left the barrel. The cannon carriage is on a flat platform and is free to roll horizontally. What is the speed of the cannon immediately after it was fired? Answer in units of m/s.

v' = - 0.0906 m/s

Explanation:

given,

mass of cannon, M = 2240 Kg

mass of the ball, m = 15.5 Kg

speed of cannon ball, v = 131 m/s

speed of he cannon = ?

initial speed of cannon and the cannon ball is equal to 0 m/s

using conservation of energy

(M+m) V = M v' + m v

(M+m) x 0 = 22400 v' + 15.5 x 131

22400 v' = - 2030.5

v' = - 0.0906 m/s

negative sign represent the canon will move in opposite direction of the ball.

hence, speed of cannon is equal to 0.0906 m/s