Two cars collide at an intersection. Car A, with a mass of 1800 kg , is going fr

Question

Two cars collide at an intersection. Car A, with a mass of 1800 kg , is going from west to east, while car B , of mass 1400 kg , is going from north to south at 17 m/s . As a result of this collision, the two cars become enmeshed and move as one afterwards. In your role as an expert witness, you inspect the scene and determine that, after the collision, the enmeshed cars moved at an angle of 65 south of east from the point of impact. 1.How fast were the enmeshed cars moving just after the collision?

Explanation / Answer

Initial velcoity of Car A, uA = u1 i

initial velocity of Car B, uB = - 17j

Using momentum conservation,

mAuA + mB uB = (mA + mB)v

1800u1 i - 1400 x 17j = (1800 + 1400) v (cos65i - sin65j)

0.5625 u1 i - 7.44j = 0.423vi - 0.906v j

along j vector.

-7.44 = - 0.906 v

v = 8.21 m/s

along i ,

0.5625 u = 0.423 x 8.21

u = 6.17 m/s

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