Question

Car A has a mass of 2000 kg and an initial speed of 15.0 m/s. Car B has a mass of 1000 kg and an initial speed of 19.0 m/s. These two cars are driving towards each other and have a head-on collision. What is the final velocity of these cars if they stick together after the collision?

Answer 1

Answer:

Final velocity = 16.33 m/s

Explanations:
`\begin{gathered} \text{Mass of car A, M}_A=\text{ 2000kg} \\ \text{Mass of car B, M}_B=\text{ 1000kg} \end{gathered}`
`\begin{gathered} \text{Initial sp}eedofcarA,U_A=\text{ 15.0 m/s} \\ \text{Initial sp}eedofcarB,U_B=\text{ 19.0 m/s} \end{gathered}`

When cars A and B collide, they will start moving at a constant velocity, V

According to the law of conservation of momentum:

`M_AU_A+M_BU_B=(M_A+M_B)V_{}`

where V represents the final velocity when the two cars stick together

Substitute these values into the given equation

`\begin{gathered} 2000(15)\text{ + 1000(19) = }(2000+1000)V \\ 30000+19000\text{ = 3000V} \\ 49000\text{ = 3000V} \\ V\text{ = }(49000)/(3000) \\ V\text{ = }16.33\text{ m/s} \end{gathered}`