Question

A 50,000 kg train car moving at 2 m/s collides and connects to another identical car initially at rest.

Answer 1

Complete question:

A 50,000 kg train car moving at 2 m/s collides and connects to another identical car initially at rest. Find the velocity of the two cars immediately after collision.

Answer:

The final velocity of the two cars after collision is 1 m/s.

Explanation:

Given;

mass of first car, m₁ = 50,000 kg

mass of the second car, m₂ = 50,000 kg  (identical to first car)

initial velocity of the first car, u₁ = 2 m/s

initial velocity of the second car, u₂ = 0

let the final velocity of the two cars after collision = v

The final velocity of the two cars can be calculated from law of conservation of linear momentum for inelastic collision.

m₁u₁ + m₂u₂ = v(m₁ + m₂)

50,000 x 2    + 50,000 x 0 = v(50,000 + 50,000)

100,000 = 100,000v

v = 100,000 / 100,000

v = 1 m/s

Therefore, the final velocity of the two cars after collision is 1 m/s.