As shown in the figure below, cars #1 and #2 are sliding across a horizontal fri

Question

As shown in the figure below, cars #1 and #2 are sliding across a horizontal frictionless surface. The cars are equipped with a coupling arrangement similar to the one on railroad cars. Car #1 overtakes car #2 and they have a totally inelastic collision and become coupled together. You know the mass of each car;

and

In addition, you are provided with the following graph, which shows the momentum of car #1 before, during and after the collision. Determine the velocity of car #2 before the collision.
m/s

Explanation / Answer

before collision , momentum p = 100 = 17v1

v1 = 5.88 m/s

after colllision , p = 40 = 17v

v = 2.35 m/s

using momentum conservation,

17 x 5.88 + 45 x v2 = (17+45) x 2.35

v2 = 1.02 m/s

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