Final answer:
In an inelastic collision between a 15 kg block and a 10 kg ball, the two objects stick together and move as one after the collision. The resulting mass is 25 kg, and the velocity of the combined mass after the collision is 1.6 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
In an inelastic collision, the two objects stick together and move as one after the collision.
In this case, the 15 kg block and the 10 kg ball collide and stick together. The resulting mass is the sum of the two masses, which is 15 kg + 10 kg = 25 kg.
Since it is an inelastic collision, the velocity of the combined mass after the collision is due to the conservation of momentum. The total momentum before the collision is (15 kg * 0 m/s) + (10 kg * 4 m/s) = 40 kg*m/s.
Since the total mass after the collision is 25 kg, the velocity of the combined mass after the collision is 40 kg*m/s ÷ 25 kg = 1.6 m/s.