Answer:
Their final velocity is 0.103 m/s
Explanation:
Given;
mass of the first car, m₁ = 130,000 kg
mass of the second car, m₂ = 115,000 kg
initial velocity of the first car, u₁ = 0.300 m/s
initial velocity of the second car, u₂ = -0.120 m/s
Let their final velocity, = v (since they were coupled together, they will have common final velocity)
Apply the principle of conservation of linear momentum;
Total momentum before collision = Total momentum after collision
m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁ + m₂)
(130,000 x 0.3) + (115,000 x -0.12) = v(130,000 + (115,000)
39000 -13800 = 245,000v
25200 = 245,000v
v = 25200 / 245,000
v = 0.103 m/s
Therefore, their final velocity is 0.103 m/s
