Question

Mary is driving a car of mass 900 kilograms toward the north with a velocity of

22 meters/second. Danny is driving his 900–kilogram car with a velocity of
15 meters/second toward the east. They collide and both cars move together afterwards. What is the magnitude of the resultant momentum of the cars after the collision?

Answer 1

Since both cars move together after the collision, then this is an example of an inelastic collision. The formula for an inelastic collision is as follows:

m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1 + m2)v

Where:

m1 = mass of the first object
m2 = mass of the second object
u1 = initial velocity of the first object
u2 = initial velocity of the second object
v = final velocity

Substituting the given values to solve for v:

900*22 + 900*15 = (900 + 900)v
v = 18.5 m/s

Answer 2

Answer;

= 33,300 Kg m/s

Explanation;

• This is an example of inelastic collision since both cars move together after the collision,
• Therefore; initial momentum is equal to final momentum;

Initial momentum= M1V1 + M2V2

= (900× 22)+ (900 × 15)

= 33,300 Kg m/s

Since; initial momentum = final momentum

Final momentum or the resultant momentum = 33,300 Kg m/s