Question

Cart A is moving with a velocity of 18 m/s toward cart B, which is moving with a velocity of 9 m/s. Both carts have equal mass and are moving on a frictionless surface. The two carts have an inelastic collision and stick together after the collision. Calculate the velocity (in m/s) of the center of mass of the system before and after the collision.

Answer 1

13.5m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Momentum before collision must equal to the momentum of the two carts after collision.

`m(18m/s)+m(9m/s)=2mv_(f)`

`V_(f) = 13.5m/s`

Detailed explanation.

According to conservation of mometum, in an inelastic collision, momentum of two objects before collion equals to momentum of two after collision.

We have essentially used this and written it in mathematics and solved for final velocity of the two combined.