Question

A 1232 kg car moving north at 25.6 m/s collides with a 2028 kg car moving north at 17.5 m/s . They stick together. In what direction and at what speed do they move after the collision?

Answer 1

I. Angle = 41.7° Northeast.

II. Vr = 7.08m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the two cars be denoted by A and B

Given the following data;

Mass of car A = 1232 Kg

Velocity of car A = 25.6 m/s

Mass of car B = 2028 Kg

Velocity of car B = 17.5m/s

First of all, we would solve for momentum;

Momentum = mass × velocity

Momentum, M1 = 1232 × 25.6

Momentum, M1 = 31539.2 Kgm/s

Momentum, M2 = 2028 × 17.5

Momentum, M2 = 35490 Kgm/s

Now, let's find the resultant momentum using the Pythagoras theorem;

R² = M1² + M2²

R² = 31539.2² + 35490²

R² = 994721136.6 + 1259540100

R² = 2254261237

Taking the square root of both sides, we have

Resultant momentum, R = 47479.06 Kgm/s

To find the direction;

Angle = tan¯¹(M1/M2)

Angle = tan¯¹(31539.2/35490)

Angle = tan¯¹(0.89)

Angle = 41.7° Northeast.

To find the speed;

R = (M1 + M2)Vr

47479.06 = (31539.2 + 35490)Vr

47479.06 = 67029.2Vr

Vr = 47479.06/67029.2

Vr = 7.08m/s