Three identical Volvos, each of mass 2000 kg, enter an intersection - one headin

Question

Three identical Volvos, each of mass 2000 kg, enter an intersection - one heading West, one heading East, and one heading North. Each of them is initially traveling at 30 m/s. The three collide and lock bumpers, becoming one single ugly mangled Volvo-think with a dozen wheels.

a. Find the total momentum (magnitude and direction) of the three-car system just before the collision.

b. What is the total momentum (magnitude and direction) of the three-car system just after the collision? Explain your reasoning.

c. Find the velocity (magnitude and direction) of the mangled Volvo-thing just after the collision.

d. Find the kinetic energy of the Volvo-thing just after the collision.

e. If the coefficient of kinetic energy friction between the Volvo-thing and the road is muK = 0.2, find the distance the Volvos will slide before coming to rest.

Explanation / Answer

Here,

m = 2000 Kg

a)

total momentum of system = m *(30 i - 30 i + 30 j) Kg.m/s

total momentum of system = 2000 * 30 j Kg.m/s

total momentum of system = 6 *10^4 Kg.m/s in north direction

b)
as there is no external force acting on the system

momentum before collision = momentum after collision

momentum after collision = 6 *10^4 Kg.m/s in north direction

c)

let the final velocity of the system is vf

vf * (2000 * 3) = 6 *10^4 Kg.m/s in north

vf = 10 m/s in north direction

d)

kinetic energy of the volvo thing = 0.5 * 3m * v^2

kinetic energy of the volvo thing = 1.5 * 2000 * 10^2

kinetic energy of the volvo thing = 3 *10^5 J

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