Final answer:
The momentum of each vehicle before the collision can be calculated using the formula Momentum = mass * velocity. The momentum after the collision depends on conservation of momentum. The velocity of the two vehicles after the collision can be calculated by dividing the final momentum by the total mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to calculate the momentum of each vehicle before the collision, we need to use the formula:
Momentum = mass * velocity
For Car A: Momentum = 1200 kg * -8.00 m/s = -9600 kg*m/s (pointing south)
For Car B: Momentum = 850 kg * 17.0 m/s = 14450 kg*m/s (pointing west)
After the collision, the two cars stick together as one mass. Therefore, we can calculate the final velocity by conserving momentum:
Final Momentum = Total Initial Momentum
Initial Momentum = -9600 kg*m/s + 14450 kg*m/s = 4850 kg*m/s (pointing west)
Total Mass = 1200 kg + 850 kg = 2050 kg
Final Velocity = Final Momentum / Total Mass = 4850 kg*m/s / 2050 kg = 2.37 m/s (pointing west)