Question

A 2150 kg car, moving east at 10.0 m/s, collides and joins with a 3250 kg car. The cars move east together at 5.22 m/s. What is the 3250 kg car’s initial velocity calculated to the nearest tenth? Record your answer in the boxes below. Be sure to use the correct place value.

Answer 1

2.1 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

According to law of conservation of momentum;

m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1+m2)v

m1 and m2 are the masses

u1 and u2 are the initial velocities

v is the common velocity

Given

m1 = 2150kg

m2 = 3250kg

u1 = 10.0m/s

u2 = ?

v = 5.22m/s

Substitute and get u2

2150(10) + 3250u2 = (2150+3250)5.22

21,500 + 3250u2 = 5400(5.22)

3250u2 = 28,188 - 21500

3250u2 = 6688

u2 = 6688/3250

u2 = 2.1 m/s

Hence the 3250 kg car’s initial velocity has an initial velocity of 2.1 m/s