Two automobiles, each of mass 950 kg, are moving at the same speed, 21 m/s, when

Question

Two automobiles, each of mass 950 kg, are moving at the same speed, 21 m/s, when they have an inelastic collision.

Two automobiles, each of mass 950 kg, are moving at the same speed, 21 m/s, when they have an inelastic collision. In what direction and at what speed does the wreckage move if one car was driving north and one south? In what direction and at what speed does the wreckage move if one car was driving north and one east (as shown in the figure)?

Explanation / Answer

let north be +y direction and east be +x directon. a). from momentum conservation; 950*21 - 950*21 = (950+950)*v => v = 0 m/s no direction b). from momentum conservation in x-direction; 950*21 = (950+950)*Vx => Vx = 10.5 m/s from momentum conservation in y-direction; 950*21 = (950+950)*Vy => Vy = 10.5 m/s net velocity = sqrt[10.5^2 + 10.5^2] = 14.85 m/s direction = tan^(10.5/10.5) = 45 degrees north of east

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