Question

Two objects, G1 and G2, with masses of 3.0 kg and 5.0 kg, respectively, collide.

The initial momentum of G1 is 0 kg⋅m/s.
The initial momentum of G2 is 0 kg⋅m/s.
The final momentum of G1 + G2 is -1.8 kg⋅m/s.
What is the final velocity of G1 + G2, assuming a perfectly inelastic collision?

Answer 1

The final velocity of the combined masses G1 and G2 after the perfectly inelastic collision is -0.225 m/s, calculated using the conservation of momentum and the total mass of the system.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the final velocity of two objects G1 and G2 after a perfectly inelastic collision, we first acknowledge that momentum is conserved in all collisions. Since the final momentum is given, we can use the total mass of the system to find the final velocity.

The total mass of G1 + G2 is 3.0 kg + 5.0 kg = 8.0 kg. The final momentum of the system is -1.8 kg·m/s. The final velocity (v_f) can be calculated using the formula

momentum = mass × velocity. Rearranging this formula gives us velocity = momentum / mass, which leads to v_f = (-1.8 kg·m/s) / (8.0 kg) =

-0.225 m/s

. Therefore, the final velocity of the combined mass G1 + G2 is

-0.225 m/s