Question

A 115 kg hockey player, Adam, is skating east whenever he tackles a 133 kg player, Bob, skating west at -1.59 m/s. Afterwards, they move together at .250 m/s east. What was Adam's velocity before the collision? (Unit = m/s)

Answer 1

2.38 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Momentum is conserved:

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂

After the collision, they move at the same speed, so v₁ = v₂ = v.

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = (m₁ + m₂) v

Plugging in numbers:

(115 kg) u₁ + (133 kg) (-1.59 m/s) = (115 kg + 133 kg) (0.250 m/s)

u₁ = 2.38 m/s