Final answer:
To find the speed of two stuck together blobs immediately after colliding, we use the conservation of momentum. The resulting speed is 0.67 m/s after calculating the combined mass's momentum (8 kg m/s) divided by its total mass (12 kg).
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves calculating the speed of two combined masses after a collision. This type of problem falls under the concept of conservation of momentum in physics, specifically dealing with inelastic collisions where objects stick together. To solve it, we use the formula for conservation of momentum:
Initial momentum = Final momentum
(Mass of object 1 * Velocity of object 1) + (Mass of object 2 * Velocity of object 2) = (Combined mass * Final velocity)
The given data states that a 2 kg blob of putty moving at 4 m/s collides with a 10 kg blob of putty at rest. Thus, we can plug in the values:
(2 kg * 4 m/s) + (10 kg * 0 m/s) = (2 kg + 10 kg) * Final velocity
8 kg m/s = 12 kg * Final velocity
The final velocity can be found by dividing the total momentum by the combined mass:
Final velocity = 8 kg m/s / 12 kg = 0.67 m/s
Therefore, the speed of the two blobs of putty immediately after colliding is 0.67 m/s.