Question

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.

Answer 1

I think 10 m/s

Answer 2

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.