Question

What is the speed of a garbage truck that is 1.60×104 kg and is initially moving at 28.0 m/s just after it hits and adheres to a trash can that is 86.0 kg and is initially at rest

Answer 1

Assuming the mass of the garbage truck is
`1.6*10^(4)` kg, the speed of the garbage truck is
`approx. = 27.8503(m)/(s)`.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is conservation of momentum where both objects stick at the end so they have the same final velocity so our equation is:

`m_(1)v_(1initial) + m_(2)v_(2initial) = v_(both final)(m_(1) + m_(2))`

To solve for the final velocity, just divide by the sum of both masses:

`( m_(1)v_(1initial) + m_(2)v_(2initial))/((m_(1) + m_(2))) = v_(both final)`

So, plug in the known values (remember initial velocity for the trash can is 0):

`( 1.6*10^(4)*28 + 86*0)/(1.6+10^(4) + 86) = v_(both final)`