Question

Let's say you have a 1.0kg mass at rest, struck by a 2.0kg mass moving at -2.0m/s. They collide and stick together, thus combining their mass to a singular 3.0kg. What is the velocity of the combined mass, and what type of collision is this?

Answer 1

The velocity of the combined mass is approximately 9.67 m/s, and this collision is an inelastic collision.

Step-by-step explanation:

For the collision between the 2.0kg mass moving at 15m/s and the 4.0kg mass moving at 7.0m/s, we can use the law of conservation of momentum to find the velocity of the combined mass. The law of conservation of momentum states that the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. The initial momentum of the system is given by the sum of the individual momenta, which is (2.0kg)(15m/s) + (4.0kg)(7.0m/s). The final momentum of the system, after the two masses stick together, is given by the total mass of 6.0kg multiplied by the velocity of the combined mass. Setting these two equal to each other, we can solve for the velocity of the combined mass.

Using the equation:

(2.0kg)(15m/s) + (4.0kg)(7.0m/s) = (6.0kg)(V)

Where V is the velocity of the combined mass.

Simplifying the equation, we have:

30 + 28 = 6V

58 = 6V

V = 9.67 m/s

Therefore, the velocity of the combined mass is approximately 9.67 m/s.

As for the type of collision, since the two masses stick together after the collision and move as one, this is an example of an inelastic collision. In an inelastic collision, kinetic energy is not conserved, and the two objects stick together and move with a common final velocity.