Question

A railroad freight car, mass 15,000 kg, is allowed to coast along a level track at a speed of 2.0 m/s. It collides and couples with a 50,000-kg second car, initially at rest and with brakes released. What is the speed of the two cars after coupling?

Answer 1

Answer:

The speed of the two cars after coupling is 0.46 m/s.

Explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of car 1, m₁ = 15,000 kg

Mass of car 2, m₂ = 50,000 kg

Speed of car 1, u₁ = 2 m/s

Initial speed of car 2, u₂ = 0

Let V is the speed of the two cars after coupling. It is the case of inelastic collision. Applying the conservation of momentum as :

$m_1u_1+m_2u_2=(m_1+m_2)V$

$V=\dfrac{m_1u_1+m_2u_2}{(m_1+m_2)}$

$V=\dfrac{15000\ kg\times 2\ m/s+0}{(15000\ kg+50000\ kg)}$  

V = 0.46 m/s

So, the speed of the two cars after coupling is 0.46 m/s. Hence, this is the required solution.