Two vehicles approach a right angle intersection and then collide. After the col

Question

Two vehicles approach a right angle intersection and then collide. After the collision, they become entangled. If their mass ratios were 1:5 and their respective speeds as they approached were both 12 m/s, find the magnitude and direction of the final velocity of the wreck.

Two vehicles approach a right angle intersection and then collide. After the collision, they become entangled. If their mass ratios were 1:5 and their respective speeds as they approached were both 12 m/s, find the magnitude and direction of the final velocity of the wreck.

Please show work and explain so that I can learn how to solve.

Explanation / Answer

let the final velocity in x- direction be Vx and in y- direction be Vy

conserving the momentum in x- direction we have

m*12 + 5m*0= (m+5m)Vx

Vx = 2 m/s

conserving the momentum in y- direction

m*0 + 5m*12 = (m + 5m) *Vy

Vy = 10 m/s

V = sqrt(Vx^2 + Vy^2) = sqrt(2^2 + 10^2) = 10.2

at an angle tan^-1 ( 10/2) = 78.7o

second option is the correct answer

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