Question

A 200kg bumper car moving 3 m/s collides head on with a 392kg bumper car moving 6m/s. After impact, the larger car continues traveling in the same direction with a velocity of 1.6 m/s . Determine the speed of the other car.

Answer 1

the final speed of the smaller car is 5.624 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of the small car, m₁ = 200 kg

initial velocity of the small car, u₁ = 3 m/s

mass of the larger car, m₂ = 392 kg

initial velocity of the larger car, u₂ = 6 m/s

final velocity of the larger car, v₂ = 1.6 m/s

let the direction of the larger car be positive

let the direction of the smaller car be negative

Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum to determine the final speed of the smaller car.

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂

200(-3) + 392(6) = 200v₁ + 392 x 1.6

-600 + 2352 = 200v₁ + 627.2

1752 = 200v₁ + 627.2

1752 - 627.2 = 200v₁

1124.8 = 200v₁

v₁ = 1124.8/200

v₁ = 5.624 m/s

Therefore, the final speed of the smaller car is 5.624 m/s