Question

15) A 328-kg car moving at 19.1 m/s in the +x direction hits from behind a second car moving at 13 m/s in the same direction. If the second car has a mass of 790 kg and a speed of 15.1 m/s right after the collision, what is the velocity of the first car after this sudden collision

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

Mass of first car

M1= 328kg

The car is moving in positive direction of x axis with velocity

U1 = 19.1m/s

Velocity of second car

U2 = 13m/s, in the same direction as the first car..

Mass of second car

M2 = 790kg

Velocity of second car after collision

V2 = 15.1 m/s

Velocity of first car after collision

V1 =?

This is an elastic collision,

And using the conservation of momentum principle

Momentum before collision is equal to momentum after collision

P(before) = P(after)

M1•U1 + M2•U2 = M1•V1 + M2•V2

328 × 19.1 + 790 × 13 = 328 × V1 + 790 × 15.1

16534.8 = 328•V1 + 11929

328•V1 = 16534.8—11929

328•V1 = 4605.8

V1 = 4605.8/328

V1 = 14.04 m/s

The velocity of the first car after collision is 14.04 m/s