Question

A 3.0-kg meatball is moving with a speed of 6.0 m/s directly toward a 2.0 kg meatball which is at rest. The two meatballs collide and stick together. What is their velocity immediately after the (inelastic) collision?

18 m/s

3.6 m/s

6 m/s

5 m/s

Answer 1

Their common velocity after collision is 3.6 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of the first meatball, m₁ = 3.0 kg

initial velocity of the first meatball, u₁ = 6.0 m/s

mass of the second meatball, m₂ = 2.0 kg

initial velocity of the first meatball, u₂ = 0 m/s

let their common velocity after collision = v

Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum for inelastic collision ;

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁ + m₂)

(3 x 6) + (2 x 0) = v( 3 + 2)

18 = 5v

v = 18 / 5

v = 3.6 m/s

Therefore, their common velocity after collision is 3.6 m/s