Two railroad freight cars with masses 130 (Mg) and 170 (Mg) approach with equal

Question

Two railroad freight cars with masses 130 (Mg) and 170 (Mg) approach with equal speeds of 0.330 (m/s). They collide, the lighter car rebounding opposite its original direction at 0.310 (m/s).



Find the velocity of the heavier car after the collision. Assume the original direction of the lighter car is positive. remember the given units of mass are in megagrams, so be sure to convert to kg. also pay attention to negative signs.



What fraction of the original kinetic energy was lost in this inelastic collision? (not a percentage.)


please detail work

Explanation / Answer

call the initial direction of the 130Mg car positive, then momentum before collision is: 130x0.35-170x0.35=-14Mg m/s this must equal the momentum after collision: -130x0.33 +170V=-14Mg m/s -42,9+170V=-14 solve for V=0.17m/s

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