Question

What is "In an isolated system two cars, each with a mass of 2,000 kg, collide. Car 1 is initially at rest , while car 2 was moving at 20 m/s. what is their combined momentum after the collision?"

Answer 1

Final velocity of the combining cars = 10m/s

combined momentum = 40000kgm/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the following :

Mass of both colliding cars = 2000kg

Initial Velocity of car 1 (U1) = 0

Initial Velocity of car 2 (U2) = 20m/s

Combuned momentum after collision =?

This is an inelastic collision which is calculated thus :

M1U1 + M2U2 = M1V + M2V

M1U1 + M2U2 = (M1 + M2) V

Where V = "final Velocity of the colliding bodies

2000 × 0 + 2000 × 20 = (2000 + 2000) V

0 + 40000 = 4000V

V = 40000 / 4000

V = 10m/s

Therefore combined momentum = (M1 + M2) V

(2000 + 2000) 10

4000(10) = 40000kgm/s