If a stationary cart is struck head on by a cart with twice the mass of the stationary one and a velocity of 5m/s, what will be the new velocity of the stationary cart if the collision is inelastic? Show all calculations leading to an answer.

Question

anonymous · Answer

I think 10 m/s

abhisar · Answer

Assuming that the collision is completely inelastic, we can say that after collision both the carts will have same velocity.

Applying the law of conservation of linear momentum,

$\sf M_1V_1 +M_2V_2={M_1V_1}'+{M_2V_2}'$

Here, $\sf M_1 = m~and~V_1=0\ M_2=2m~and~V_2=5 \ {V_2}'={V_1}'=V$

Plugging in the values we get,

$\sf 2m\times 5 =2mV+mV$

Solving the equation for V, we can find the velocity of carts after collision.