Question

A 0.5 kg trolley is pushed at a velocity of 1.2 m/s into a stationary trolley of mass 1.5 kg. the two trolleys stick to each other after the impact. calculate the velocity of the two trolleys straight after the impact assuming a closed system.

Answer 1

The velocity of the two trolleys straight after the impact is 0.3 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

When two trolleys collide and stick together, it is an example of an inelastic collision. In an inelastic collision, the two objects move together as one after the collision. By applying the law of conservation of momentum, we can calculate the velocity of the two trolleys after the impact.

Before the collision:

• Trolley A has a mass of 0.5 kg and a velocity of 1.2 m/s.
• Trolley B has a mass of 1.5 kg and is stationary (velocity of 0 m/s).

Using the law of conservation of momentum:

(mass of trolley A * velocity of trolley A) + (mass of trolley B * velocity of trolley B) = (total mass * final velocity)

(0.5 kg * 1.2 m/s) + (1.5 kg * 0 m/s) = (2 kg * final velocity)

0.6 kg·m/s = 2 kg * final velocity

Final velocity = 0.6 kg·m/s / 2 kg

Final velocity = 0.3 m/s

Therefore, the velocity of the two trolleys straight after the impact is 0.3 m/s.