Two asteroids of equal mass in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter collide inelastically. The first asteroid, which is initially traveling towards the second asteroid at a speed of 40 m/s, is deflected by the collision at an angle of 30 degrees relative to its original trajectory, while the second asteroid is deflected by an angle of 45 degrees relative to the original trajectory of the first asteroid.
a) What are the final speeds of the first and second asteroids?
b) What fraction of the first asteroid’s original kinetic energy was lost as a result of the collision (i.e. does not appear as kinetic energy of the first or second asteroid after the collision)?
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