Question

question 16 of 28. a 2130 kg car, moving at 21.5 m/s, runs into a car that has a mass of 2240 kg and is moving at 11.4 m/s in the same direction. the cars stick together after the collision. assuming momentum is conserved, what is their final velocity? a. 16.3 m/s b. 12.5 m/s c. 19.4 m/s d. 14.1 m/s

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate initial momentum of first car

$p_1 = m_1 v_1 = 2130 \times 21.5 = 45795 \, \text{kg·m/s}$

Step2: Calculate initial momentum of second car

$p_2 = m_2 v_2 = 2240 \times 11.4 = 25536 \, \text{kg·m/s}$

Step3: Total initial momentum

$p_{\text{total}} = p_1 + p_2 = 45795 + 25536 = 71331 \, \text{kg·m/s}$

Step4: Combined mass after collision

$m_{\text{total}} = m_1 + m_2 = 2130 + 2240 = 4370 \, \text{kg}$

Step5: Final velocity

$v = \frac{p_{\text{total}}}{m_{\text{total}}} = \frac{71331}{4370} \approx 16.3 \, \text{m/s}$

Answer:

A. 16.3 m/s