Answer:
3.75 m/s south
Explanation:
Momentum before collision = momentum after collision
m₁ u₁ + m₂ u₂ = m₁ v₁ + m₂ v₂
Since the car and truck stick together, v₁ = v₂.
m₁ u₁ + m₂ u₂ = (m₁ + m₂) v
Given m₁ = 1500 kg, u₁ = -15 m/s, m₂ = 4500 kg, and u₂ = 0 m/s:
(1500 kg) (-15 m/s) + (4500 kg) (0 m/s) = (1500 kg + 4500 kg) v
-22500 kg m/s = 6000 kg v
v = -3.75 m/s
The final velocity is 3.75 m/s to the south.
