Question

A 11,000-kg train car moving due east at 21.0 m/s collides with and couples to a 23,000-kg train car that is initially at rest. What is the common velocty of the two-car train after the collisions?

Answer 1

v = 6.79 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of a train car, m₁ = 11000 kg

Speed of train car, u₁ = 21 m/s

Mass of other train car, m₂ = 23000 kg

Initially, the other train car is at rest, u₂ = 0

It is a case based on inelastic collision as both car couples each other after the collision. The law of conservation of momentum satisied here. So,

`m_1u_1+m_2u_2=(m_1+m_2)V`

V is the common velocity after the collisions

`V=(m_1u_1)/((m_1+m_2))\\\\V=(11000* 21)/((11000+23000))\\\\V=6.79\ m/s`

So, the two car train will move with a common velocity of 6.79 m/s.