Question

When a 1,000 kg car, traveling at 11 m/s, hits a 150 kg deer initially at rest, the two objects stick together. What is the velocity of the combined mass after the collision?

Answer 1

The problem involves using the conservation of momentum principle to calculate the velocity of a combined mass after a collision, using the masses and initial velocities of the car and the deer, with the deer initially at rest.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is about determining the velocity of a combined mass after a collision between a car and a deer, where the two objects stick together. This problem involves the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that if no external forces are acting on a system, the total momentum of the system remains constant.

To solve for the velocity after the collision, use the formula:

m1 * v1 + m2 * v2 = (m1 + m2) * v_final

where m1 and v1 are the mass and velocity of the car, respectively, and m2 and v2 are the mass and velocity of the deer, respectively. Since the deer was at rest initially, its velocity (v2) is 0. Plugging in the values:

1,000 kg * 11 m/s + 150 kg * 0 m/s = (1,000 kg + 150 kg) * v_final

Solving for v_final gives the velocity of the combined mass after the collision.