Step-by-step explanation:
To solve this problem, we can use the law of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum of a system is conserved in the absence of external forces.
Before the collision, the momentum of the blue clay is:
momentum of blue clay = mass of blue clay * velocity of blue clay
= 2 kg * 1.5 m/s = 3 kg*m/s to the east (positive)
Before the collision, the momentum of the red clay is:
momentum of red clay = mass of red clay * velocity of red clay
= 1.5 kg * (-2.5 m/s) = -3.75 kg*m/s to the west (negative)
The total momentum before the collision is:
total momentum before collision = momentum of blue clay + momentum of red clay
= 3 kgm/s - 3.75 kgm/s = -0.75 kg*m/s to the west (negative)
After the collision, the two clays stick together and move as one combined object. Let's assume that the final velocity of the combined clay pieces after the collision is v.
By the law of conservation of momentum, the total momentum after the collision is equal to the total momentum before the collision:
total momentum after collision = total momentum before collision
= -0.75 kg*m/s
The combined mass of the two clays after the collision is:
combined mass = mass of blue clay + mass of red clay
= 2 kg + 1.5 kg = 3.5 kg
Therefore, the final velocity of the combined clay pieces after the collision is:
v = total momentum after collision / combined mass
= (-0.75 kg*m/s) / 3.5 kg
= -0.214 m/s to the west (negative)
Since the negative velocity indicates a direction to the west, the final velocity of the combined clay pieces after the collision is 0.214 m/s to the west.