Question

A Passenger car (m = 10.0 kg) and a flat car (m = 7.5 kg) collide and move off as shown. The left car was initially traveling at 3.5 m/s right and the right car was initially traveling at a velocity of 2.2 m/s left.

a. What type of a collision is depicted here?

Answer 1

To determine the type of collision between the passenger car and the flat car, information about the conservation of momentum and kinetic energy is required.

Step-by-step explanation:

Type of Collision

The scenario described involves a passenger car of mass 10.0 kg and a flat car of mass 7.5 kg colliding and then both moving off in unspecified directions. This situation can represent either an elastic or inelastic collision depending on additional details like the final velocities of the cars and whether kinetic energy is conserved. In an elastic collision, both momentum and kinetic energy are conserved. In a completely inelastic collision, the cars would stick together, and kinetic energy would not be conserved, though momentum would still be conserved.

To determine which type of collision occurred, we would need the final velocities of the two cars after the collision. If the final kinetic energy differs from the initial kinetic energy, it would be an inelastic collision. If the kinetic energy and momentum are conserved, it would be an elastic collision. Without this information, we cannot conclusively determine the type of collision.