Question

A truck with the mass of 8 ton travels at a velocity of 60km/h and collides

with a truck with a mass of 5 tons travelling in the same direction at 40km/h.
After the collision the two trucks move together.
Calculate the final common velocity if the TWO trucks in m/s after the
collision?
​

Answer 1

52 km/h

Step-by-step explanation:

When the two trucks move together after collision, the momentum of the system is conserved. The kinetic energy is not conserved. This is inelastic collision

The formula to apply here is :

m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = {m₁+ m₂} *vf

Given that ;

m₁ = 8 ton ----convert to kg [ multiply by 907.185] =7258 kg

v₁ = 60 km/h

m₂ = 5 tons ------4536 kg

v₂ = 40 km/h

vf = final velocity

Using the values given;

m₁v₁ + m₂v₂ = {m₁+ m₂} *vf

8*60 + 5*40 = {8+5} * vf

480 + 200 = 13 * vf

680 = 13vf

680/13 = vf

52 km/h = vf