Two cars traveling in opposite directions collide and stick together. Before colliding, the first (A) has a mass of 21 kg and travels with a velocity of 7 m/s while the second (B) has a mass of 15 kg and a velocity of -1 m/s. After colliding, what is the velocity of the pair? - V=?

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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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**Educational Content: Momentum and Collisions**

**Scenario:**

Two cars traveling in opposite directions collide and stick together. Before colliding:

- **Car A:** 
  - Mass = 21 kg 
  - Velocity = 7 m/s (to the right)

- **Car B:**
  - Mass = 15 kg 
  - Velocity = -1 m/s (to the left)

**Question:**
After colliding, what is the velocity of the combined pair?

**Diagram Explanation:**

1. **Initial State (Top Diagram):**
   - Two separate cars (A and B) are shown on tracks.
   - Car A moves to the right with a velocity of 7 m/s.
   - Car B moves to the left with a velocity of -1 m/s.

2. **Post-Collision State (Bottom Diagram):**
   - The combined object (cars A and B stuck together) is on a track.
   - The velocity of the combined object is denoted as V (unknown).

**Solution Approach:**

To solve this, use the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum before the collision equals the total momentum after the collision.

**Formula:**
\[ (m_A \cdot v_A) + (m_B \cdot v_B) = (m_A + m_B) \cdot V \]

**Calculations:**

\[ (21 \, \text{kg} \cdot 7 \, \text{m/s}) + (15 \, \text{kg} \cdot -1 \, \text{m/s}) = (21 \, \text{kg} + 15 \, \text{kg}) \cdot V \]

\[ 147 \, \text{kg·m/s} - 15 \, \text{kg·m/s} = 36 \, \text{kg} \cdot V \]

\[ 132 \, \text{kg·m/s} = 36 \, \text{kg} \cdot V \]

\[ V = \frac{132 \, \text{kg·m/s}}{36 \, \text{kg}} \]

\[ V = 3.67 \, \text{m/s} \]

**Conclusion:**
The velocity of the combined pair after the collision is approximately 3.67 m/s to the right.
Transcribed Image Text:**Educational Content: Momentum and Collisions** **Scenario:** Two cars traveling in opposite directions collide and stick together. Before colliding: - **Car A:** - Mass = 21 kg - Velocity = 7 m/s (to the right) - **Car B:** - Mass = 15 kg - Velocity = -1 m/s (to the left) **Question:** After colliding, what is the velocity of the combined pair? **Diagram Explanation:** 1. **Initial State (Top Diagram):** - Two separate cars (A and B) are shown on tracks. - Car A moves to the right with a velocity of 7 m/s. - Car B moves to the left with a velocity of -1 m/s. 2. **Post-Collision State (Bottom Diagram):** - The combined object (cars A and B stuck together) is on a track. - The velocity of the combined object is denoted as V (unknown). **Solution Approach:** To solve this, use the principle of conservation of momentum, which states that the total momentum before the collision equals the total momentum after the collision. **Formula:** \[ (m_A \cdot v_A) + (m_B \cdot v_B) = (m_A + m_B) \cdot V \] **Calculations:** \[ (21 \, \text{kg} \cdot 7 \, \text{m/s}) + (15 \, \text{kg} \cdot -1 \, \text{m/s}) = (21 \, \text{kg} + 15 \, \text{kg}) \cdot V \] \[ 147 \, \text{kg·m/s} - 15 \, \text{kg·m/s} = 36 \, \text{kg} \cdot V \] \[ 132 \, \text{kg·m/s} = 36 \, \text{kg} \cdot V \] \[ V = \frac{132 \, \text{kg·m/s}}{36 \, \text{kg}} \] \[ V = 3.67 \, \text{m/s} \] **Conclusion:** The velocity of the combined pair after the collision is approximately 3.67 m/s to the right.
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