Question

A 0.24 kg mass with a speed of 0.60 m/s has a head-on collision with a 0.26 kg mass that is traveling in the opposite direction at a speed of 0.20 m/s. Assuming that the collision is perfectly inelastic, what is the final speed of the combined masses?

Answer 1

0.184 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Momentum is conserved. If the velocity of the 0.24 kg mass is positive, then ...

m1v1+m2v2 = m3v3

(0.24 kg)(0.60 m/s) +(0.26 kg)(-0.20 m/s) = (0.24 +0.26 kg)(v)

v = (0.144 -0.052 kg·m/s)/(0.50 kg) = 0.184 m/s

The speed of the combined masses is 0.184 m/s.

_____

Additional comment

The positive sign indicates the combined masses are moving in the direction of the original 0.24 kg mass.