Question

A 2 kg car moving towards the right at 4 m/s collides head on with an 8 kg car moving towards the left at 2 m/s, and they stick together. After the collision, the velocity of the combined bodies is:_____________.

a) 2.4 m/s towards the left.
b) 2.4 m/s towards the right.
c) 0.8 m/s towards the left.
d) 0
e) 0.8 m/s towards the right.

Answer 1

correct answer is c

v = -0.8 m / s

Step-by-step explanation:

This is a problem of quantity of movement, for this we must define a system formed by the two cars, so that the forces during the collision are internal and therefore the quantity of movement is conserved

initial

p₀ = m₁ v₁ - m₂ v₂

final

= (m₁ + m₂) v

We have taken the direction to the right as positive

p₀ =p_{f}

m₁ v₁ - m₂ v₂ = (m₁ + m₂) v

v = (m₁ v₁ - m₂ v₂) / (m₁ + m₂)

we calculate

v = (2 4 - 8 2) / (2 + 8)

v = (8 -16) / 10

v = -0.8 m / s

the negative sign indicates that the set is moving to the left

correct answer is c