Question

A 715 kg car stopped at an intersection is rear-ended by a 1490 kg truck moving with a speed of 12.5 m/s. If the car was in neutral and its brakes were off, so that the collision is approximately elastic, find the final speed of both vehicles after the collision.

Answer 1

The final velocity of the car is 16.893 m/s

The final velocity of the truck is 4.393 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

mass of the car, m₁ = 715 kg

mass of the truck, m₂ = 1490 kg

initial velocity of the car, u₁ = 0

initial velocity of the truck, u₂ = 12.5 m/s

let the final velocity of the car, = v₁

let the final velocity of the truck, = v₂

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

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = m₁v₁ + m₂v₂

(715 x 0) + (1490 x 12.5) = 715v₁ + 1490v₂

18625 = 715v₁ + 1490v₂ -----equation (1)

Apply one-directional velocity formula;

u₁ + v₁ = u₂ + v₂

0 + v₁ = 12.5 + v₂

v₁ = 12.5 + v₂

Substitute v₁ into equation (1)

18625 = 715(12.5 + v₂) + 1490v₂

18625 =8937.5 + 715v₂ + 1490v₂

18625 - 8937.5 = 715v₂ + 1490v₂

9687.5 = 2205v₂

v₂ = 9687.5 / 2205

v₂ = 4.393 m/s

solve for v₁

v₁ = 12.5 + v₂

v₁ = 12.5 + 4.393

v₁ = 16.893 m/s