In order to answer this question, follow the steps provided and remember that the total initial momentum of the system must equal the total final momentum. Also, remember that momentum and velocity are vector quantities so you must specify a negative sign if the motion is to the left.
A green truck of mass 2500 kg travels to the right with a velocity vig = 3.7 m/s. The green truck approaches a red truck with mass 1460 kg that is traveling to the left with a velocity of vir = -3 m/s. The trucks collide and stick together after the collision. What is the final velocity, vf of the green-red truck system after the collision. (look at the figure/picture)
(a) What was the initial momentum of the green truck before the collision?
pgi = 9250 kg m/s
(b) What was the initial momentum of the red truck before the collision?
pri = -4380 kg m/s
(c) What was the total initial momentum of the system of trucks?
pTf = 4870 kg m/s
(d) What must be the total final momentum of the system after the collision if momentum is conserved?
pTf = 4870 kg m/s
(e) According to your answer for (d) what must be the final velocity of the system after the collision? (Hint: you know the total mass of the combined system and the total momentum from part (d).)
vf = _____ m/s
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