Question

A 50,000 kg train car moving at 2 m/s collides and connects to another identical car initially at rest.

Answer 1

Train car collisions can be analyzed using the principle of conservation of momentum. The final velocity of the connected cars depends on the initial velocities of the cars and can be determined using the conservation of momentum equation. By plugging in the values of the masses and initial velocities, the final velocity of the connected train cars can be calculated.

Step-by-step explanation:

Train car collisions can be analyzed using the principle of conservation of momentum. The initial momentum of an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its velocity, and the final momentum is the sum of the initial momenta of the colliding objects. In this case, we have two train cars, both moving initially. Since their masses are identical, the final velocity will depend on the initial velocities of the cars. If the first car is moving at 2 m/s and collides with the second car initially at rest, the final velocity of the connected cars will be determined by the conservation of momentum equation:

m1v1 + m2v2 = (m1 + m2)vf

By plugging in the values of m1, m2, v1, and v2, you can solve for vf to find the final velocity of the connected train cars.

Answer 2

Complete question:

A 50,000 kg train car moving at 2 m/s collides and connects to another identical car initially at rest. Find the velocity of the two cars immediately after collision.

Answer:

The final velocity of the two cars after collision is 1 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of first car, m₁ = 50,000 kg

mass of the second car, m₂ = 50,000 kg (identical to first car)

initial velocity of the first car, u₁ = 2 m/s

initial velocity of the second car, u₂ = 0

let the final velocity of the two cars after collision = v

The final velocity of the two cars can be calculated from law of conservation of linear momentum for inelastic collision.

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁ + m₂)

50,000 x 2 + 50,000 x 0 = v(50,000 + 50,000)

100,000 = 100,000v

v = 100,000 / 100,000

v = 1 m/s

Therefore, the final velocity of the two cars after collision is 1 m/s.