Question

A 3000 kg freight train traveling at a rate of 2 m/s strikes a stationery 3000 kg freight car and couples up. What is the speed of the 2 cars as they move together after the collision?

Answer 1

1 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Momentum before the collision = momentum after the collision

m₁ u₁ + m₂ u₂ = m₁ v₁ + m₂ v₂

(3000 kg) (2 m/s) + (3000 kg) (0 m/s) = (3000 kg) v + (3000 kg) v

6000 kgm/s = 6000 kg v

v = 1 m/s