Question

Two fun-loving otters are sliding toward each other on a muddy (and hence frictionless) horizontal surface. One of them, of mass 8.50 kg , is sliding to the left at 6.00 m/s, while the other, of mass 5.35 kg , is slipping to the right at 6.00 m/s. They hold fast to each other after they collide. Part A Find the magnitude of the velocity of these free-spirited otters right after they collide. | AEO o a ? m/s

Answer 1

v = -1.36 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of object 1,
`m_1=8.5\ kg`

Speed of mass 1,
`v_1=-6\ kg` (left)

Mass of object 2,
`m_2=5.35\ kg`

Speed of mass 2,
`v_2=6\ kg` (right)

It is the case of inelastic collision. Let v is the final speed of both objects after the collision. Using the conservation of momentum as :

`v=(m_1v_1+m_2v_2)/(m_1+m_2)`

`v=(8.5* (-6)+5.35* 6)/(8.5+5.35)`

v = -1.36 m/s

So, the velocity of these free-spirited otters is 1.36 m/s towards left. Hence, this is the required solution.